tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14702766Wed, 16 Aug 2017 00:21:32 +0000ATP Backspin by Todd Spiker...your "sweet spot" for men's tennishttp://atpbackspin.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Todd Spiker)Blogger542125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14702766.post-6375761698252149811Tue, 15 Aug 2017 11:31:00 +00002017-08-15T10:34:52.225-04:00Wk.32- The Art of Saving a Match Point<center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Jt4H-2xxAWOdCRZH6CXiB7W3b3keXXmfO6NzkM4m5OyB7S7E7YM2JJnyf4rCL3FKSAHOvWxsrgVSd3mNLeQpV5ZXVcD3MmwZo-Z2vSqCMsqivx2fDjaQSpQBJ0FnXlWVNgisWnfgKID8Tpb-Xx5Rlu2O4n_ZM67WRuT_iOu5Cxk0aUAXkJbWVYdlBFJB3O5b5I_-Qp7t_ufJGJ4f7hL_nswEI4yNB0n2whvBBY0a3aEEt7nAmTVN2CuKPyXXZbThEpATgNrjdWl8ZVgPa8YRaOHUi0W03HS3M3P3yf9KpTG7CkvHqaJCOngKHRU1WWrB2xIUQf1ULLD7JqZbKXrDcbonniA4uh9LByGfVVNu7m3QgQAYCt05JLiTxiMibBArVVoi2B9AKCuyoSUDBQn-lNsbsMNbTgg_nigCWoiISpjkL1cjateePJclAyMSb4fvA78ZAgf36wuqEna0bM1N1wQkmI7Iyz91BXFa6A9hghNp3zLGxI7L-N1-ZNQSEt7SXGNHavQdQ9vOJwpV8b4A6JlKkl9Y91NLFCoSdnkHOcO2P8lv7MODwZwy3a2PJjdATs5_cCkq6PGHUt44PoQcFua9WjJNVflGnMneUMdxdki5OVP6sWTp=w398-h48-no"></center>Hey Y'all. Galileo here.<br /><br />In a tennis match you have several key components. You have the shots, the commentary, the tactics, the illicit coaching and the umpire. You'll also need a ball, a racket, a functioning court and, perhaps most importantly, a crowd. Tennis players may choose to use the crowd or not. The ones who do it well often gain points from it. The ones who the crowd dislike may struggle or use the hate. Tomas Berdych used the boos to see off Rafael Nadal in Madrid. That match is in our Hall of Shame. It's close to the 2004 U.S. Open match between Jennifer Capriati and Serena Williams. But that one had nothing to do with the crowd. And sometimes the crowd helps you even if you don't ask it to. See Williams in 2011 at the same venue. <br /><br />Last week in Canada, the men's tournament was one of the best we have had in years. It was a handful of points away from being totally different and the crowd was heavily involved.<span class="fullpost"><br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Fan: Come on Roger!!!<br />Robin Haase: No my name is Robin!<br /><br />Might be down a set on <a href="https://twitter.com/rogerfederer">@rogerfederer</a> but at least he&#39;s got the jokes <a href="https://twitter.com/CoupeRogers">@CoupeRogers</a> <a href="https://t.co/q3JecPFXx6">pic.twitter.com/q3JecPFXx6</a></p>&mdash; Cracked Racquets (@CrackedRacquets) <a href="https://twitter.com/CrackedRacquets/status/896463849213317120">August 12, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /><br />And how about Roger Federer having the nous to talk to them in French. He even tried to be funny. Well, I think he did. <br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The moment Federer asked Zverev to tell him what it&#39;s like to win Montréal. <br /><br />??<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CoupeRogers?src=hash">#CoupeRogers</a> <a href="https://t.co/Etq2LPQx7J">pic.twitter.com/Etq2LPQx7J</a></p>&mdash; Tennis TV (@TennisTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/TennisTV/status/896854115866816514">August 13, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /><br />The best crowds in tennis can be found at the majors. The worst tend to be in Asia. The huge stadiums and lack of spectators make the problem look even worse than it is. And with the U.S. Open coming up we are no doubt about to get another great week of crowd interaction and noise. Arthur Ashe is so big and the Americans so loud that the atmosphere in there is like being in a maelstrom. And again, some players can use it. Some can't. Would Monfils have been able to pull off his heroics without the loyal fans backing him? <br /><br />Now, a quick update on the number one race. Andy Murray clings on. Roger Federer making the final has put a tonne of pressure on Rafa. If Roger wins Cincy for the billionth time he can be mediocre in New York and still take that top ranking. <em>Well, that will not happen as he has just withdrawn.</em> Nadal can take over the top spot with a win. But if Federer wins the U.S. Open he will be top dog. The Scot has 7,750 points. Rafa Nadal has 7,555. Roger has 7,145. <br /><br />Before we go on it should be noted that this week marks the 18 year anniversary of the retirement of Steffi Graf. The only person to ever win each major four times, she was dominant in a way nobody was or will ever be again. She played like she was double parked. She was mentally tough, had the biggest weapon the game had ever seen [until Serena came along] and had several big career comebacks. She visited Monica Seles in the hospital, a surprise considering their relationship, and famously said during the 1999 Roland Garros, “Can we just play tennis, OK?”<br /><br />The French crowd that day played a vital role in the match. Graf may have been known as icy, cold and occasionally emotionless, but what you saw was exactly what you got. Martina Navratilova has a reputation for being catty and for being overly critical. Graf was only ever a cold fish. She was a constant from 1987 to her retirement 12 years later. She even managed to do that with dignity. So today reflect upon a legend. Few women affect the very landscape of our sport. She did. And why there isn't a famous stadium named after her anywhere is anybody's guess. There should be.<br /><br />But eough of the almighty Stefanie Graf. It is time for us to begin.<br /><br /><br /><center><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">*WEEK 32 CHAMPIONS*</span> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#B22222;">MONTREAL, QUEBEC CAN (Hard)</span> <br /><em>S: <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#48D1CC;">Alexander Zverev def. Roger Federer 6-3/6-4</span> <br />D: <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#48D1CC;">Herbert/Mahut d. Bopanna/Dodig</span></em></center><br /><center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kYNwWuc0vY-X4e30Jr67ObQYAcqXm20A8bHdY9O4QFJY4O9aRrENilWaW0o6-essNTumnpMguMq2vORSCTXh97sq6pX1flvQtDcEzjwNsx2qaOidIM6ZBE5gXnMxVI0nIlzDK8h3zlytIyEQnk8lM6Ors4ap_4NkLl5bU780lvuxOwLD-F0Q_23HoB8bmqDwITXxEVxZt6G6l6zbe2Sw8Heo-lwLV3FOdtr-kZueJx4UMjcsBjAMKFUEp4GB44ApBLf22ZfbMZDx3XNhOvarPxjX8Rw14vqxRt4liMH9oKViIPS8mT6g4B3tT-owTybue0ZMzAb2fdoccLC5C0tpI8iRvo49aFaBpEFcq4ozyWQKyOvpzv-GOIYeEj_YOGZ6hY9H77c9_3jQHBlLFuxW0g2F6wwc_IV5vmMVUBBz3R50QoXpv58pZM8FU5fSkBJG7dcdeBIOjQUIgLtARsRjv4_ktzkJNpnw4-mw9Ye0cXUjxmcOq2RIJ0K03d660GzNIY4MYmY2bDcWBzLkE2saJuz4fyX63Bb620pMngN6rZpdSn5W9KZL21ktK55PkZFdZP3tEYbY4ckDbR0f4alb9H3Ztd4QjwsdGYgEEcSUNMTAYhFI36rt=w316-h52-no"></center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">10 wins in a row ??<br /><br />5 titles in 2017 ??<br /><br />Alexander Zverev defeats Roger Federer to become the youngest <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CoupeRogers?src=hash">#CoupeRogers</a> winner in 10 years! <a href="https://t.co/aTYxYhT2sY">pic.twitter.com/aTYxYhT2sY</a></p>&mdash; Tennis TV (@TennisTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/TennisTV/status/896844752041254914">August 13, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">PLAYER OF THE WEEK:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">ALEX ZVEREV, GER</span><br />...If you were to say Alex Zverev has been the third best player all year you'd be dead on. It is so rare to ever win a Masters title during your career. To do it twice in a year is insane. Especially when you have the Big Four sharing your career arc. But this year the German has been something else. That backhand is a wrecking ball of Bruce Springsteen-like proportions. He has been measured, consistent yet aggressive and he has even played some excellent doubles at times. Fitting that on Graf's anniversary Germany finally has a new hero. But there is a Caroline Wozniacki style twist. He has a rubbish record at the slams. He is only 11-9. Granted, he has run into Nadal, Verdasco and Raonic at the last three, but he should still be doing better than that. But how many players go 2-0 in their first two Masters finals? How many do it on different surfaces? In the last 14 months he has made nine finals and lost just three. He and his brother have also gone 1-3 in doubles finals. He won two titles at this year's Open Sud de France. This month he has not lost a match. He has gone 10-0, and beat Kevin Anderson twice. The serve is working nicely, the backhand is well oiled and he has variety for days. In his three-set match against Gasquet, where he cruised for the first hour but was taken to a third-set breaker, he looked a world-beater in patches and a nothing in other parts of the match. But he turned out a memorable performance against Kyrgios, who has had his number the last couple of times they've played, defeating him 6-4, 6-3. He eased past Anderson 7-5, 6-4. Denis Shapovalov was next, with both men playing for a spot in the final. But the youngster looked tired and the German's heavy weaponry proved too much. He beat Shapo 7-5, 6-4. In the final he rolled past an injured Roger Federer 6-3, 6-4. But can he now convert this into a slam win? Or at least can he convert this into a slam result?<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">RISER:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">ROGER FEDERER. SUI</span> <br />...We have talked so much about Roger Federer. We have gone over his forehand, described once as a great liquid whip. We have pored over his SABR and been awestruck by his aggressive backhand. This week was just so standard. He beat Peter Polansky in the second round, David Ferrer in the third and Roberto Bautista Agut in the quarters. It is so bog standard. It is just what Roger Federer does for work. He wasn't perfect, but he was efficient. He was measured. And he managed to get past banana peel Robin Haase in the semi-finals. There are so many names we never talk about. We can, and will, talk about the GOAT at length. This week he tied Ivan Lendl by making his 189th semi-final. That is second all time. His 142 finals are third all time. Had he won it would have been title number 94, the same amount won by Ivan Lendl. History beckons for Roger as usual. But this week he was denied. And that really isn't usual at all. If his back is ok he will be more than fine at the U.S. Open.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Epic week in Montreal ?? <a href="https://twitter.com/denis_shapo">@denis_shapo</a> moves ?? 76 spots to CH No.67, into <a href="https://twitter.com/emirates">@emirates</a> ATP Rankings ??100 for 1st time! <a href="https://t.co/MvgAhzCq4S">https://t.co/MvgAhzCq4S</a> <a href="https://t.co/g1lGTqw0Aw">pic.twitter.com/g1lGTqw0Aw</a></p>&mdash; ATP World Tour (@ATPWorldTour) <a href="https://twitter.com/ATPWorldTour/status/897071932000129024">August 14, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">FRESH FACE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">DENIS SHAPOVALOV, CAN</span> <br />....Not many players announce their arrival on the world stage by assaulting an umpire. Few are then forgiven after that. But the swashbuckling youngster, who so resembles Jana Novotna, who has never won a main draw slam match, is already a recognizable figure. He plays a fast, exciting brand of tennis with a big one-handed backhand and a devil-may-care attitude. But his epic run in his homeland almost wasn't. Check this out...<br /><br /><center><iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/L_nXP3v_DA8?ecver=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />The quality of match points this week has been sensational. The volley on that second one is not possible. It is freakish. You cannot do that shot. It defies physics. It goes against nature itself. After winning that one he dismissed Delpo 6-3, 7-6[4]. He saw off Nadal in a dramatic third set breaker. And he came back from a set down to edge Adrian Mannarino 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. It took Alex Zverev playing lights out to finally end his run. But for a kid with no senior slam experience, or very little, he's being talked about an awful lot. Maybe all the upcoming juniors should consider hitting an umpire in the face.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">VETERAN:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">DAVID FERRER, ESP</span> <br />...Nobody thought the Spaniard would go quietly, though going he most definitely is. He taught some youngsters valuable lessons this week. He beat Kyle Edmund 6-7 [5], 6-4, 6-3. Then he beat Jack Sock 7-6[7], 3-6, 6-1. His usual level of grit and determination were present and correct. He even managed to push Roger Federer around for a bit, as he went down fighting 4-6, 6-4, 6-2. He knows that this U.S. Open and next year's French are his last shots for deep runs. He first made the semi-final here in 2007. He beat David Nalbandian in five sets in the third round, Rafa Nadal in four in the fourth round and JI Chela in the quarters. It has always been one of his favourite venues. Could there be one last happy memory there for him? This BACKSPINNER's heart says yes, but the head says no.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">SURPRISE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">ROBIN HAASE, NED</span> <br />...Haase does this about four times a year. This time it was at a Masters. He beat 7th seeded Dimitrov but no other seeded players. He knows how to take advantage of a weakened draw. Haase even put up a decent fight against Roger Federer, recovering from 0-2 in the second set breaker. But even in this day and age of a weaker ATP journeyman can only go so far. He will have chances in New York to do some damage. With a bit of luck multiple wins are on the cards.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">DOWN:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">RAFAEL NADAL, ESP</span> <br />...This BACKSPINNER doesn't get it. Rafa is playing for the top ranking. Rafa Nadal -- the toughest, tightest player ever. He never blows a chance. He smacked Borna Coric 6-1, 6-2. But he is out-gritted by Denis Shapovalov? A little kid beat Nadal? After he was dominated for a set and a half the Canuck came back to take the second. But with the sets at 3-6, 6-4, he kept going. And the third set went to a breaker. Once there Rafa took a 3-0 lead. He would win just one more point in the whole match. He was taken apart. It just isn't Nadal. If he wins the title this week he will take the top spot. But it just doesn't even feel on the cards. Oh, there was also this...<br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">Coupe Rogers 2008. Le gamin avec la casquette rouge (Denis Shapovalov) a battu Nadal hier, 9 ans après cette photo <a href="https://t.co/pLxNLDqaOY">pic.twitter.com/pLxNLDqaOY</a></p>&mdash; Photos Histoires (@PhotosHistos) <a href="https://twitter.com/PhotosHistos/status/896003733204512768">August 11, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">UPSET:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">ADRIAN MANNARINO, FRA</span> <br />...Last week it was Medvedev. Now Adrian Mannarino has usurped him. He defeated him 6-3, 6-1 in the first round. After that he beat Milos Raonic and his home crowd 6-4, 6-4. Hyeon Chung was next and the Frenchman won through 6-3, 6-3. Equipped with good mental stability and a whippy forehand, nobody wants to play Mannarino. Even the top guys, like Djokovic, do not enjoy playing against him. He is slippery and tricky and hits awkward shots. He doesn't miss often and yet still has firepower. So for youngsters like the Russian and Korean this is a nightmare. He even took the first set against Denis Shapovalov 6-2 before fading to a 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 loss. But it is a good week for the veteran. He is now ranked 36th. It might be enough for a seed. Two more wins should secure it.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><br /><center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/34QjnRpjebe9q1RijHOlzmYyswImMd5xbWDezgozGrWKSZuyaou5Y1E25CJ9K1ezH2B1fxfahZTBo_vHapfipKdEXnS44w0CYqKHH9LQQT8jcByiAxCtJIDjWvu56clIWYZHJMrrEQaAXLDydZuVe-3ECuCBjZVDRdyp7Dof7ZLenVg-3P5rCf7HW98ME5StRqKGSjDFwppriDwZq-DWR4PkBHRunEzWbdDG0f7lSSLNe8mWTRtaaChiHj2M-0JKzRFSwc6YuxMHPyeqyHhSF-BI5jWiy__tM_pwVLw9C1I5L7kSBsuFYZa3T6cDvg0p34QdaHXvM3Se-dqIUAYZE4cfbqgIOEvYMt-B-SS5sK9ZMLieZOFwyyEZ1MhPZyfg7vFUeR9mZU5xXFa6wQRVHM-g1piyeos2MbmpfqOdGOiumppNacONT84xIImyXXf4cvyOTcxhYCHg6WQnQXor0wsk-RkqB72ioj3U1AH7ZEjzr6ONOHCar6wWudG4xQxc-AQXdEO--cnyjdOiw9mg7cXJMTjVyDLXaKnRLOWjMMKwWX6jBV-iUs_CnkjqwXtkxyJJYmGv0efDIKoVRefnsGjF6l5PlT60UMZj-jByk8LY-zI4eZpc=w264-h34-no"></center>1. <span style="font-weight; color:#B22222;">Montreal R3 – Schwartzman d. Donaldson 0-6, 7-5, 7-5 </span><br />...The American got up 6-0, 2-0. Then he blew it. He had the mental strength to come back in the third set, but still lost. In American tennis most of it has to be mental. Because there's no problem with their tennis, just <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/05/sports/05iht-nov.html">their brains.</a> Don't be like Novotna, unless you are at the net. The most wonderful thing about our sport is the scoring system. It is never over. That is both a blessing and a curse.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">===============================================</span> <br />2. <span style="font-weight; color:#B22222;">Montreal QF – Monfils d. Nishikori 6-7[4], 7-5, 7-6[8] </span><br />...We've all seen it by now. It is insanity. <br /><br /><center><iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fn2pc7QFmXQ?ecver=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />Monfils does it again. He comes from nowhere to save a point. Then from nowhere to win the match. And in his round three clash with Bautista Agut he lost from match point up. This is why Todd cannot watch a Monfils match without bursting into tears or flames. <span style="font-weight; color:#B22222;">[Flames. - tds]</span> Because all this talent, all this ability, all these amazing shots are being wasted. We wish there was a way to give another player these attributes. If you could combine Nalbandian and Monfils. Oh boy. Unbeatable.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">===============================================</span> <br />3. <span style="font-weight; color:#B22222;">Montreal R2 – A.Zverev d. Gasquet 6-3, 4-6, 7-6,[3] </span><br />/..The German was cruising for two sets against the Frenchman. Gasquet could barely move at times. His back is troubling him deeply and you can tell he's at the end of a successful career now. But at 4-5 Zverev made a couple of errors and suddenly it was a set all. Gasquet's backhand suddenly came alive. And the upset was on. And at 5-6 Gasquet had his chance.<br /><br /><center><iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8iUbr7o5v2w?ecver=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />Words are useless. You will never see such good defence. It is the point of the year. And the Frenchy did that with a bad back.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">===============================================</span> <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/w1o3NKrUFxRw0NE7CL5DaBXEzdCooFuF0g-lBCVmk_nObvfMl8CePZcdBPe-B5ypuqQGkICq9tTPDkOhbIrTu5IyIQjkhlALRkul5lOQWWcEk09a75SzSHdCgjRI1JKD30qNrbre-fIqPIVMAXE7x3SaBCMPXqFdCWG0gkgdbK95MJ-JYy1LvDsSmeAHoUi0nq0Aqlc-ABWKKxqlzQ9MsjCLVoVh4jFvXOcPW33a-CID1C8xjN79QQfzZq_NftIc_xvlEMl5f8epHM4QSUuH0_8jSzJV5uP3hA1ijcLWReLD77iXBA-MxseOj5HhuCvbk1b9zxdLJ8vMjE1HkKU_k4MuT5ur_WI8kMVYa8xgHd7EI-pfqpCdOzuPC42VRgUmT6W6ZBPgTHPFA3u5tHmPRYtRV-RzQ9qpABIbmUmmh0yU9xAPc8XJU2kQFByUYJQgCBv8-QNvPPV60fTc-Av_vlC_Vf0MkObC4FXWX0SqXeqb_csC28Pa-gpI_0Rj4wxjDOZDigQKLcd_Zf5Z2GDmaXS80Dt9fv6UOBr-551FO1BhPEcYYbQNaoXPhCJlTaoTJ_jA9iqsAy83QGFo8lg9AOmz4AfsUn92BaH2qAd_Y-HIysUJeTq6eWal=w210-h60-no"><br /><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#CC6600;">*CINCINNATI*</span> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#00FF00;">=SF=</span> <br />Thiem [3] d. [1] Nadal <br />Zverev [4] d. Khachanov <br /><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#00FF00;">=FINAL=</span> <br />Zverev [4] d. [3] Thiem</center><br />...This BACKSPINNER doesn't trust Rafa right now. All the big names are injured because the season is just too gosh darn long, and that means there will be a surprise winner. Karen Khachanov should benefit. Thiem should do well. But how can you look past the German? David Nalbandian used to get hot and win three tournaments in a row and he had a similar game style to the German. Yes, he'll be tired but he is just playing too well.<br /><br /><center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xcF66kBmXEaPHsFrV-rSOKS4bULET3tQSmXVmbPPUOniPGvMBR0qKsXoFfGo5KmShwaD3IWYhnm6qjYNbuifF6p637KHnBGnY-WR72Jhpsp2nxVxg6WV-gHn6fk1tDa9KqTNqMjtU1tHqO07ahsqOKiIMZ1jOwHotzWLdlAFSUXwgH6wjfV9dYeNw8rKp8V0fCZ3ze-HN5qc36Xp-XwbevcV1Eqf6887VMlGAymrC_kL-_U2Hh4KFVx28s_TTSgl0KtpDd4bDbKoEK2v1eq9jI_4imDUj57WdBIk32vXY6EoKcgRjjj-m2rD74F3Cih4w21KBSOBPBdy5ZZ92Zs3wWBLM_PfmqzoDjv-6ex5eRLAouDQ53g0-PayCeXPKd0Qi-_EgiykelohlJOr8E0yf3tHDfEuC-w3ZkA3dJMk01Ahc2G_t23f7kWlOaVaTxETKnSs-FCmALuNCMvJUQ2MCcTUCZWcfqcTVs23XHsk1n1x9ZU-eHQvpNHyFGuWblWXpJsltJDQEh7Uosr7EWOwjZejKTp2uIRpCB4wlZ1dpDU3839T9MpvgnQ0V872jDeJjtYngtuJ8YlYASG12-z99Xw5LwG1QDWyJnj7Ld_UuPNSeAPH0McQ=w400-h115-no"></center>Well, she beat Lara Arruabarrena 6-3, 6-3 last week, in her first round match. She appears to be on song, her ground game strong. But she blew a lead against Barbora Strycova in the next round, going down 4-6, 7-6[5], 6-3. The Czech promptly lost to Simona Halep 6-1, 6-0. <br /><br />In the singles in Cincinnati she just beat Kiki Mladenovic 6-0, 7-6 [6]. She will now play fellow qualifier Camila Giorgi. The winner may play the world number one. But on the WTA right now how much does that really mean? All it means is you're unlikely to win the next slam. He said in a catty manner. Secretly Todd agrees. <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#B22222;">[Waiting for Ostapenko to reach #1 ;) - tds]</span><br /><br />Big news! The Dashas are back. They open against An.Rodionova and Nadia Kichenok. They should win that. If they do then they will most likely get to face off against Aussies Barty/Dellacqua. In fact, she and Raquel Atawo lost to Rodionova/Kichenok in the second round last week. <br /><br />Something else to keep an eye on- <em>Ash Barty is coming for her number one Australian ranking.</em><br /><br /><br />Thanks all and visit <a href="http://wtabackspin.blogspot.com">WTA BACKSPIN</a> please.</span>http://atpbackspin.blogspot.com/2017/08/wk32-art-of-saving-match-point.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Todd.Spiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14702766.post-4513374264727469714Tue, 08 Aug 2017 02:37:00 +00002017-08-07T22:37:57.311-04:00Wk.31- A German in America<center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Jt4H-2xxAWOdCRZH6CXiB7W3b3keXXmfO6NzkM4m5OyB7S7E7YM2JJnyf4rCL3FKSAHOvWxsrgVSd3mNLeQpV5ZXVcD3MmwZo-Z2vSqCMsqivx2fDjaQSpQBJ0FnXlWVNgisWnfgKID8Tpb-Xx5Rlu2O4n_ZM67WRuT_iOu5Cxk0aUAXkJbWVYdlBFJB3O5b5I_-Qp7t_ufJGJ4f7hL_nswEI4yNB0n2whvBBY0a3aEEt7nAmTVN2CuKPyXXZbThEpATgNrjdWl8ZVgPa8YRaOHUi0W03HS3M3P3yf9KpTG7CkvHqaJCOngKHRU1WWrB2xIUQf1ULLD7JqZbKXrDcbonniA4uh9LByGfVVNu7m3QgQAYCt05JLiTxiMibBArVVoi2B9AKCuyoSUDBQn-lNsbsMNbTgg_nigCWoiISpjkL1cjateePJclAyMSb4fvA78ZAgf36wuqEna0bM1N1wQkmI7Iyz91BXFa6A9hghNp3zLGxI7L-N1-ZNQSEt7SXGNHavQdQ9vOJwpV8b4A6JlKkl9Y91NLFCoSdnkHOcO2P8lv7MODwZwy3a2PJjdATs5_cCkq6PGHUt44PoQcFua9WjJNVflGnMneUMdxdki5OVP6sWTp=w398-h48-no"></center>Hey Y'all. Galileo here.<br /><br />As we go into the American swing, which could be called the Americas swing, we are reminded of a once-great empire. It is like playing tennis in Pompeii or in Atlantis. American tennis is a lost empire. In Serena's absence, it is a stark and shocking reality. But America needs to calm down and stop worrying about the tennis. This summer they dominated the World Aquatics Championships, particularly in the swimming events, are dominating the Athletics and also look better than they ever have in soccer.<span class="fullpost"><br /><br />Right now they are a third-world tennis nation. But this BACKSPINNER thinks it is a good thing that America is not having it all its own way. It's a good thing to lose on occasion. And you know that it will be only a matter of time before they come back. In the sporting world, America has always been the dominant force. Forget the USSR and China. Forget Australia and Britain. It is always America. Feeling sorry for them because they no longer dominate a sport is like feeling sorry for Tom Brady because he lost 20 bucks. Or like feeling sorry for Roger Federer when Lenny is sick on him.<br /><br />America will be fine. They're allowed to be average at something. Just this week Tommy Paul made the quarters while Jack Sock went one better. They aren't even that bad. With nine guys in the top 100 and five in the top 50 they are still a threat at any slam that isn't staged in France. Just because they aren't Jimmy Connors or Johnny McEnroe doesn't mean they've fallen on truly hard times. <br /><br />This week we saw comebacks. Henri Kontinen and his partner John Peers responded well to a heartbreaking Wimbledon loss. Sam Querrey responded well to losing such a tight match to Marin Cilic, and Alex Zverev backed up a superb tournament. In other tennis news, Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka have both pulled the plug on their seasons. It leaves Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to fight it out for the number one crown. With hard being the surface for the rest of the year, injury concerns and more points to defend, Rafael Nadal is the slight underdog. But it could swing either way. Yes, the tour has a very 2008-09 feel to it. Let's look at what happened this past week...<br /><br /><center><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">*WEEK 31 CHAMPIONS*</span> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#B22222;">WASHINGTON, DC USA (Hard)</span> <br /><em>S: <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#48D1CC;">Alexander Zverev def. Kevin Anderson 6-4/6-4</span> <br />D: <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#48D1CC;">Kontinen/Peers d. Kubot/Melo</span></em> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#B22222;">CABO, MEXICO (Hard)</span> <br /><em>S: <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#48D1CC;">Sam Querrey def. Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-3/3-6/6-2</span> <br />D: <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#48D1CC;">Cabal/Huey d. Galdos/Maytin</span></em> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#B22222;">KITZBUHEL, AUSTRIA (Red Clay)</span> <br /><em>S: <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#48D1CC;">Philipp Kohlschreiber def. Joao Sousa 6-3/6-4</span> <br />D: <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#48D1CC;">Cuevas/Duran d. Podlipnik/Vasilevski</span></em></center><br /><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kYNwWuc0vY-X4e30Jr67ObQYAcqXm20A8bHdY9O4QFJY4O9aRrENilWaW0o6-essNTumnpMguMq2vORSCTXh97sq6pX1flvQtDcEzjwNsx2qaOidIM6ZBE5gXnMxVI0nIlzDK8h3zlytIyEQnk8lM6Ors4ap_4NkLl5bU780lvuxOwLD-F0Q_23HoB8bmqDwITXxEVxZt6G6l6zbe2Sw8Heo-lwLV3FOdtr-kZueJx4UMjcsBjAMKFUEp4GB44ApBLf22ZfbMZDx3XNhOvarPxjX8Rw14vqxRt4liMH9oKViIPS8mT6g4B3tT-owTybue0ZMzAb2fdoccLC5C0tpI8iRvo49aFaBpEFcq4ozyWQKyOvpzv-GOIYeEj_YOGZ6hY9H77c9_3jQHBlLFuxW0g2F6wwc_IV5vmMVUBBz3R50QoXpv58pZM8FU5fSkBJG7dcdeBIOjQUIgLtARsRjv4_ktzkJNpnw4-mw9Ye0cXUjxmcOq2RIJ0K03d660GzNIY4MYmY2bDcWBzLkE2saJuz4fyX63Bb620pMngN6rZpdSn5W9KZL21ktK55PkZFdZP3tEYbY4ckDbR0f4alb9H3Ztd4QjwsdGYgEEcSUNMTAYhFI36rt=w316-h52-no"> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">PLAYER OF THE WEEK:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">ALEX ZVEREV, GER</span><br />...We have a rule here on BACKSPIN. If there is one 500 and two 250's then the winner of the big event comes in here. It just makes sense. So the German. He's had a good year. He is the only player to win one of the big events outside of the Fedal. He has played spoiler the best, but lost in heartbreaking five-set fashion in Melbourne and London. His backhand is the best on tour right now, and the scariest thing is that you never know where he is going to put it. Will he go inside-out? Will he spank it crosscourt? Nope. It's a dropper and the point is over. Last week he climbed to 8 in the world, a career high. He has consolidated that with a great run in Washington, home of the NL's second-best team. Since May last year he has made eight finals and looked competent at slam level, too. Five titles from eight attempts is an excellent mark. He has also engaged the services of Juan Carlos Ferrero. The Spaniard knows how to play in New York. In the capital, he opened by edging Jordan Thompson in a third set breaker. Next he beat Tennys [Ha-Ha] Sandgren 7-5, 7-5. By now he was on a roll, confirmed by his 6-4, 6-2 beatdown of Medvedev. He put Nishikori to the sword 6-4, 6-3. In the final he swept by Kevin Anderson 6-4, 6-4. He forced the big man into several errors, used his variety and generally made it hard for the South African to get anything going. <br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Zverev-fied air. ??<br><br>Alexander Zverev is your 2017 Citi Open champion! He earns 4th ?? this year with 6-4, 6-4 win over Anderson. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CO17?src=hash">#CO17</a> <a href="https://t.co/dtAycwpGQA">pic.twitter.com/dtAycwpGQA</a></p>&mdash; Citi Open (@CitiOpen) <a href="https://twitter.com/CitiOpen/status/894295054629711876">August 6, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /><br />Now he needs to repeat in Canada. But can he do so?<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">RISER:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">PHILIPP KOHLSCHREIBER, GER</span> <br />...The German first won the Kitzbuhel doubles title in 2006. He and Stefan Koubek beat Marach/Suk. Nine years later he took the singles title. Now he has won for a third time. Unseeded, he beat Bagnis in three sets, dismissed Vesely 6-3, 6-3 and then edged Lajovic 4-6, 6-4, 7-6[5] in the quarters. He just could not get out and away from the Serb. He knocked out the last seed remaining in the semi - number two Fabio Fognini. It was a tight match but the German always plays well in German speaking countries. Kohl won 7-5, 6-3. In the final, Joao Sousa couldn't muster up anything and Kohl ran away with it 6-3, 6-4. It was a superb week for the German. He is now ranked 37th. That Flushing Meadows seed is there, looking him in the face.<br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Watch highlights of <a href="https://twitter.com/Kohlscribbler">@Kohlscribbler</a>&#39;s victory at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ATPKitz?src=hash">#ATPKitz</a>, claiming his second ?? in his hometown: <a href="https://t.co/38lzTELdof">https://t.co/38lzTELdof</a> <a href="https://t.co/tyWb9DQTZ5">pic.twitter.com/tyWb9DQTZ5</a></p>&mdash; ATP World Tour (@ATPWorldTour) <a href="https://twitter.com/ATPWorldTour/status/894251484505944065">August 6, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">FRESH FACE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">THANASI KOKKINAKIS, AUS</span> <br />...This is a rare occurrence - a sensible Australian tennis star under the age of 25. It's the run that's glorious more than anything. He edged Frances Tiafoe in two breakers in round one. He beat Peter Polansky in a third set breaker in match two. He held off Taylor Fritz 7-6[5], 6-2 in the quarters before edging Tomas Berdych in the semi. Despite the loss in the Cabo final it is the kind of performance you can look back on with so much pride. He now has momentum going into the summer swing. But can he use it?<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">VETERAN:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">KEVIN ANDERSON, RSA</span> <br />...Kevin Anderson is awfully reliable. Unlike the Miami Marlins, who are reliably awful. Another point for tennis - anybody can win. In the big four you can be dreadful for years, and years and years. The Bills haven't made a playoff appearance since Bill Clinton was president. When were the Browns last good? When have the Padres ever been relevant? Will the New Jersey Devils ever be good again? Why haven't they disbanded the Knicks and started again? In tennis you have good weeks and bad weeks. A drought is never more than a year or two. And you can make ten semi-finals a year and call that a good year. Anderson's big serve is one of the most consistent weapons on the tour. Combined with a wicked forehand and a good mental game it is a weapon to be feared. Season after season he turns up and plays the same way. But it is unbeatable. He even came back from injury and was just as relevant. In Washington, he made another final on hard-courts. His last final was two years ago the month. He is currently 3-9 in finals. With his ranking at 32 he should get a seed in New York.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">SURPRISE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">YUKI BHAMBRI, IND</span> <br />...Bhambri was part of that initial Indian Wave. The one which went as quickly as it came. They had Sania Mirza, Somdev Devarrman and the men's doubles talents, too. But they just disappeared. We never saw them again after a while. It was really strange. Bhambri is now 159 in the world. He won the junior Australian Open in 2009. In Washington qualies, Ramkumar Ramanathan also did very well. He is Bhambri's compatriot. Rankumar was the top seed, Bhambri second. He beat Liam Broady 6-2, 6-4 to qualify. In the first round he defeated Stefan Kozlov via a retirement. In the next, he edged Gael Monfils 6-3, 4-6, 7-5. Pella ran out of steam and crumbled, as Bhambri defeated him 6-7[5], 6-3, 6-1. It took the huge weapons of Kevin Anderson to finally subdue the Indian. The South African won 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. The odyssey is over for now. But there may be a spark of a new career forming, and perhaps it could ignite.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">DOWN:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">PABLO CUEVAS, URU</span> <br />...The Uruguyan is one of the steadiest players on tour. He is Mr. Reliable. But he was undone by a rain delay and a vociferous home crowd. He lost to Ofner 6-3,2-6,7-6 (7-3). Going into the event he was one of the favourites, but his sudden departure set the tone for the rest of the seeds to collapse. Incidentally, this event is more historic than you might think. Santana, Panatta, Orantes, Vilas [4-1 in finals], Gerulaitis, Sampras, Muster, Ivanisevic [winners in 1992, '93 and '94], Costa [3-2 in finals], and Juan Martin Del Potro have all won here. Cuevas may yet add his name to that illustrious list. But not yet. <em>At least he won the doubles title this year.</em><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">UPSET:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">DANIIL MEDVEDEV, RUS</span> <br />...What a summer! The Russians aren't just in the Kremlin and the White House, bad action movies and good James Bond flicks. No, they are now firmly ensconced in the ATP hierarchy. Andrey Rublev is 19 and number 53 in the world. Medvedev is 21 and 48th. And we all know about Karen Khachanov. In D.C., He edged Reilly Opelka 6-7 (6), 6-3, 7-6 (6), saving a match point with a 130 MPH ace along the way. In the second round he edged Stevie Johnson in a third set breaker. It was a fiery, fractious match. According to an online source, here’s what happened: #34 ranked Johnson won the first set 6-3 and was up a break in the second set. Both players were resting on a changeover and the chair umpire called “time.” That’s when Medvedev, ATP 50, suddenly asked for a medical timeout. It took the physio three or four minutes to get to the court and a further delay ensued. Johnson was understandably irritated at Medvedev’s stall tactic which, of course, was designed to distract the American's following service game.<br /><br />And, of course, it did. Medvedev broke Johnson, who then shouted across the net at the young Russian, who is based in Nice, France since age seven, “Nice injury time out you piece of sh**!” – according to the photographer who was present. <br /><br />In the third round, the Russian spanked Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-2. But he got his comeuppance at the hands of Alex Zverev. He lost 6-2, 6-4. He moves on to the Rogers Cup. A seed in New York is in play after all. <br /><br />For <a href="https://www.tennis-prose.com/tennisforum/threads/controversy-johnson-medvedev-grudge-match-at-citi-open.5661/">more on the controversy.</a> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span><br /> <br /><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/34QjnRpjebe9q1RijHOlzmYyswImMd5xbWDezgozGrWKSZuyaou5Y1E25CJ9K1ezH2B1fxfahZTBo_vHapfipKdEXnS44w0CYqKHH9LQQT8jcByiAxCtJIDjWvu56clIWYZHJMrrEQaAXLDydZuVe-3ECuCBjZVDRdyp7Dof7ZLenVg-3P5rCf7HW98ME5StRqKGSjDFwppriDwZq-DWR4PkBHRunEzWbdDG0f7lSSLNe8mWTRtaaChiHj2M-0JKzRFSwc6YuxMHPyeqyHhSF-BI5jWiy__tM_pwVLw9C1I5L7kSBsuFYZa3T6cDvg0p34QdaHXvM3Se-dqIUAYZE4cfbqgIOEvYMt-B-SS5sK9ZMLieZOFwyyEZ1MhPZyfg7vFUeR9mZU5xXFa6wQRVHM-g1piyeos2MbmpfqOdGOiumppNacONT84xIImyXXf4cvyOTcxhYCHg6WQnQXor0wsk-RkqB72ioj3U1AH7ZEjzr6ONOHCar6wWudG4xQxc-AQXdEO--cnyjdOiw9mg7cXJMTjVyDLXaKnRLOWjMMKwWX6jBV-iUs_CnkjqwXtkxyJJYmGv0efDIKoVRefnsGjF6l5PlT60UMZj-jByk8LY-zI4eZpc=w264-h34-no"> <br />1. <span style="font-weight; color:#B22222;">Los Cabos QF – Kokkinakis d. Berdych 3-6, 7-6[5], 6-4, </span><br />...After 18 months spent making his body work, and ranked 454 in the world, the Australian has defeated a Wimbledon semi-finalist. With the win he has risen 234 spots to 220th in the world. Sure, he nearly blew a 6-2 lead in the breaker. And, yes, he squandered four match points and 5-2 in the third, but a win is a win. And for the Australian to just get on court is awesome.<br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">HOW GOOD! Thanasi Kokkinakis has reached his first ATP Tour final with a MASSIVE upset win over Tomas Berdych. <a href="https://t.co/byun9yVXge">https://t.co/byun9yVXge</a> <a href="https://t.co/JBf7d2XRqQ">pic.twitter.com/JBf7d2XRqQ</a></p>&mdash; 7Sport (@7Sport) <a href="https://twitter.com/7Sport/status/893690062474403840">August 5, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">===============================================</span> <br />2. <span style="font-weight; color:#B22222;">Washington QF – Nishikori d. Paul 3-6 7-6(8) 6-4 </span><br />...Saving three match points and barely clinging on to beat a player out of the top 200 is not very impressive, even if they are a rising star. The Japanese man recovered from 3-5 to edge through in the final set. A win is a precious thing for Nishikori these days. How will he defend all those points in New York?<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">===============================================</span> <br />3. <span style="font-weight; color:#B22222;">Kitzbuhel 1st Round – Zeballos d. Dutra Silva 2-6, 7-6, [11], 7-6[4]</span><br />...The Brazilian won 119 of the 237 points played in this three hour epic. This BACKSPINNER's theory is that there are a handful of people who tuned in to watch the entirety of this. We salute those brave souls. There were just four breaks in the whole match.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">===============================================</span> <br /><br /><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/w1o3NKrUFxRw0NE7CL5DaBXEzdCooFuF0g-lBCVmk_nObvfMl8CePZcdBPe-B5ypuqQGkICq9tTPDkOhbIrTu5IyIQjkhlALRkul5lOQWWcEk09a75SzSHdCgjRI1JKD30qNrbre-fIqPIVMAXE7x3SaBCMPXqFdCWG0gkgdbK95MJ-JYy1LvDsSmeAHoUi0nq0Aqlc-ABWKKxqlzQ9MsjCLVoVh4jFvXOcPW33a-CID1C8xjN79QQfzZq_NftIc_xvlEMl5f8epHM4QSUuH0_8jSzJV5uP3hA1ijcLWReLD77iXBA-MxseOj5HhuCvbk1b9zxdLJ8vMjE1HkKU_k4MuT5ur_WI8kMVYa8xgHd7EI-pfqpCdOzuPC42VRgUmT6W6ZBPgTHPFA3u5tHmPRYtRV-RzQ9qpABIbmUmmh0yU9xAPc8XJU2kQFByUYJQgCBv8-QNvPPV60fTc-Av_vlC_Vf0MkObC4FXWX0SqXeqb_csC28Pa-gpI_0Rj4wxjDOZDigQKLcd_Zf5Z2GDmaXS80Dt9fv6UOBr-551FO1BhPEcYYbQNaoXPhCJlTaoTJ_jA9iqsAy83QGFo8lg9AOmz4AfsUn92BaH2qAd_Y-HIysUJeTq6eWal=w210-h60-no"> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#CC6600;">*ROGERS CUP *</span> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#00FF00;">=SF=</span> <br />Nadal [1] d. [4] Zverev <br />Federer [2] d. [3] Thiem <br /><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#00FF00;">=FINAL=</span> <br />Nadal [1] d. [2] Federer<br /><br />...Even in 2007, Roger did not win in Montreal. He has always played worse there for some reason. He has skipped the previous two. But Tsonga, Zverev and Kyrgios are all in the top half. Kyrgios knows how to beat Zverev. Tsonga is such a big question mark. Nadal is going to win this and take the top ranking along with it. <br /><br /><center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xcF66kBmXEaPHsFrV-rSOKS4bULET3tQSmXVmbPPUOniPGvMBR0qKsXoFfGo5KmShwaD3IWYhnm6qjYNbuifF6p637KHnBGnY-WR72Jhpsp2nxVxg6WV-gHn6fk1tDa9KqTNqMjtU1tHqO07ahsqOKiIMZ1jOwHotzWLdlAFSUXwgH6wjfV9dYeNw8rKp8V0fCZ3ze-HN5qc36Xp-XwbevcV1Eqf6887VMlGAymrC_kL-_U2Hh4KFVx28s_TTSgl0KtpDd4bDbKoEK2v1eq9jI_4imDUj57WdBIk32vXY6EoKcgRjjj-m2rD74F3Cih4w21KBSOBPBdy5ZZ92Zs3wWBLM_PfmqzoDjv-6ex5eRLAouDQ53g0-PayCeXPKd0Qi-_EgiykelohlJOr8E0yf3tHDfEuC-w3ZkA3dJMk01Ahc2G_t23f7kWlOaVaTxETKnSs-FCmALuNCMvJUQ2MCcTUCZWcfqcTVs23XHsk1n1x9ZU-eHQvpNHyFGuWblWXpJsltJDQEh7Uosr7EWOwjZejKTp2uIRpCB4wlZ1dpDU3839T9MpvgnQ0V872jDeJjtYngtuJ8YlYASG12-z99Xw5LwG1QDWyJnj7Ld_UuPNSeAPH0McQ=w400-h115-no"></center><br />Next year we will be following Valentini Grammatikopoulou. No, not really. But it was worth it just to mention that name.<br /> <br />Last year Dasha only made the Rogers Cup second round. She has already matched that this year. She beat Lara Arruabarrena 6-3, 6-3 on Monday. Now she must face Barbora Strycova (<em>rather than Mladenovic, who lost</em>). If she wins, then defending champ Halep is almost certain to be the one standing in her way. <br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Well done <a href="https://twitter.com/Daria_gav">@Daria_gav</a> - through to the second round of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RogersCup?src=hash">#RogersCup</a>! <a href="https://t.co/vGkr29ZMqv">https://t.co/vGkr29ZMqv</a></p>&mdash; TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) <a href="https://twitter.com/TennisAustralia/status/894719543662305280">August 8, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /><br />Thanks all and visit <a href="http://wtabackspin.blogspot.com">WTA BACKSPIN</a> please.</span>http://atpbackspin.blogspot.com/2017/08/wk31-german-in-america.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Todd.Spiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14702766.post-20968733021720379Thu, 20 Jul 2017 03:40:00 +00002017-07-20T01:40:41.031-04:00Wimbledon Recap<center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Jt4H-2xxAWOdCRZH6CXiB7W3b3keXXmfO6NzkM4m5OyB7S7E7YM2JJnyf4rCL3FKSAHOvWxsrgVSd3mNLeQpV5ZXVcD3MmwZo-Z2vSqCMsqivx2fDjaQSpQBJ0FnXlWVNgisWnfgKID8Tpb-Xx5Rlu2O4n_ZM67WRuT_iOu5Cxk0aUAXkJbWVYdlBFJB3O5b5I_-Qp7t_ufJGJ4f7hL_nswEI4yNB0n2whvBBY0a3aEEt7nAmTVN2CuKPyXXZbThEpATgNrjdWl8ZVgPa8YRaOHUi0W03HS3M3P3yf9KpTG7CkvHqaJCOngKHRU1WWrB2xIUQf1ULLD7JqZbKXrDcbonniA4uh9LByGfVVNu7m3QgQAYCt05JLiTxiMibBArVVoi2B9AKCuyoSUDBQn-lNsbsMNbTgg_nigCWoiISpjkL1cjateePJclAyMSb4fvA78ZAgf36wuqEna0bM1N1wQkmI7Iyz91BXFa6A9hghNp3zLGxI7L-N1-ZNQSEt7SXGNHavQdQ9vOJwpV8b4A6JlKkl9Y91NLFCoSdnkHOcO2P8lv7MODwZwy3a2PJjdATs5_cCkq6PGHUt44PoQcFua9WjJNVflGnMneUMdxdki5OVP6sWTp=w398-h48-no"></center>Hey Y'all. Galileo here.<br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">An eighth <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Wimbledon?src=hash">#Wimbledon</a> crown for <a href="https://twitter.com/rogerfederer">@rogerfederer</a>. Read all about it... ?? <a href="https://t.co/p2q7sZDnMo">pic.twitter.com/p2q7sZDnMo</a></p>&mdash; Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) <a href="https://twitter.com/Wimbledon/status/886679272634634240">July 16, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><span class="fullpost"><br /><br />Welcome to the final post from Wimbledon 2017. And we’ll open with a fun graph. <br /><br /><center><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#B22222;">Comparing the Big 3 at Their Best Slam!</span><br /><style type="text/css">.tg {border-collapse:collapse;border-spacing:0;} .tg td{font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;padding:10px 5px;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;overflow:hidden;word-break:normal;} .tg th{font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;padding:10px 5px;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;overflow:hidden;word-break:normal;} .tg .tg-yw4l{vertical-align:top} </style><br /><table class="tg"> <tr> <th class="tg-031e"><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#6495ED;"></span></th> <th class="tg-031e"><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#6495ED;">NADAL (RG)</span></th> <th class="tg-031e"><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#6495ED;">FEDERER (WI)</span></th> <th class="tg-031e"><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#6495ED;">DJOKOVIC (AO)</span></th> </tr> <tr> <td class="tg-031e"><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#B22222;">TITLES</span></td> <td class="tg-031e">10</td> <td class="tg-031e">8</td> <td class="tg-031e">6</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="tg-031e"><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#B22222;">FINALS</span></td> <td class="tg-031e">10</td> <td class="tg-031e">11</td> <td class="tg-031e">6</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="tg-031e"><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#B22222;">SEMIS</span></td> <td class="tg-031e">10</td> <td class="tg-031e">12</td> <td class="tg-031e">6</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="tg-031e"><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#B22222;">QF</span></td> <td class="tg-031e">11</td> <td class="tg-031e">15</td> <td class="tg-031e">9</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="tg-031e"><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#B22222;">Won/Lost</span></td> <td class="tg-031e">79-2</td> <td class="tg-031e">91-11</td> <td class="tg-031e">58-7</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="tg-031e"><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#B22222;">Win Pct.</span></td> <td class="tg-031e">97.5%</td> <td class="tg-031e">89.22%</td> <td class="tg-031e">89.00%</td> </tr></table></center><br />Firstly, we can deduce that Rafa is awesome on clay. But when you consider 10/15 of his slams have come in Paris it feels a little one-surface wonder. Novak Djokovic has won 50 per cent of his slams in one city. But Federer’s 8/19 is a lot less than half. He has won five each in New York and Melbourne plus that one in Paris. That’s where the longevity comes in. If the other two were to have that length of career they might also rack up some serious numbers. As it is, Federer is the only player ever to rack up five singles finals at every slam, in the men’s game in the Open era. Did you know that Chris Evert got to more finals at slam level than Martina? Well, it’s true. <br /> <br />You can draw your own conclusions from the data above. But in the men’s doubles, Kubot/Melo became the champions with a 5-7, 7-5, 7-6[3], 3-6, 13-11 victory over Pavic/Marach. It took four hours and 39 minutes with both sides going 3/9 on break points. Spectators eagerly watched the 390 points played. It was an incredible match that featured injuries, clutch serves, missed smashes and nerves from Melo. It had some superb rallies, and the last set is one of the best sets of doubles you’ll see for many a year. It was the perfect way for the Brazilian to ascend to number one. <br /> <br />And the women’s doubles match that followed was one of the worst things ever seen on Centre court. It was truly abysmal. Don’t watch that. But do see if you can re-watch the men’s doubles.<br /><br /><center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/GXSZQXGrfLJvulPBElXniABm3a7XBK05_ES970hMk1grWTamHHFEr26dUs8NagCHIJwumUUtB57TALRYcZCZLInjCyriuSu6oSv2_jBbkyEaetLo9fDIUQQxE5Scxy46jQ4BHzzLI-g7w0EoZBKn9EdPML1ssZfEN8CfrjLPzRjkaQsbj4fBSZEFckdP7hIJh9m6A3hR4QFcF0_EXPppXFPTIiFMwIUoe2YagLk3E6_0Apjw-alyJSpax_o7cq3W4mic-eLwVls8q27QfMb45-O1hVjLKcAP1iOY4-MLB1oifScppKTJElK7TrXlRgZLK9oXTBc5bnMhEWC9cuF9Q4sdtJkYp57ns3gU0Q0bXNtJ-6qeQk5BRIVaJR3-IvLuYKtiZfHTImXE0HzObjsdSkdoa21_M7v8kmkkYr8miZoK9M-qcPi_zzfWt8JDm3vLyXwfhgg3qE7H1Sno4WBuDJmW0AnKDWAy8cx3iOGkfX_xDGyio5hHJQ9oh-PQiaxawJG_Tvr_tSgAG8fFt6_wgOm6he9_R64FahZ8_pvdJH5eUQTyef_G3wwHaG-j_x2cvao7RxcwySizKDwdM35nOep1rce8XOWu0HDk7XvTi3OVeJ96DLQw2XAn=w405-h16-no"></center> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">FEDERER D. CILIC</span> <br />It was too easy in the end. Federer broke twice in the first set of his 6-3, 6-1, 6-4 victory and then Cilic got a blister. Or he called a trainer and then we knew. We knew about the injury, and we knew what was going to happen in the final. Federer looked fantastic from the off. He had a tough deuce early in the first set, but once he broke the match started to get away from Cilic mentally. Federer strolled through the next set 6-1 and then Cilic had a proper timeout. He had some pills and, much like Nadal in the 2014 Australian Open final, suddenly he was recovered enough to put up a fight in the third set. It was a foregone conclusion, of course, but he did turn up in that final set, he turned up and fought. Cilic cannot afford to let this affect his career or his mental state. He has to think about the fact Federer would likely have beaten him anyway and that he will get another chance. Jana Novotna got three. Marion Bartoli got two. Roddick got three. Nadal got three. Murray got three. He will be back. The stats are all irrelevant. He needs to move on. If he burned the tape that would be a start. <br /><br />Afterwards <a href="http://www.dailyedge.ie/piers-morgan-martina-navratilova-3503572-Jul2017/">this happened.</a><br /> <br />Cilic has, remarkably, stayed at 6th in the world. Roger Federer is now the favourite for the year-end top spot. He will play at most of these events - Cincy, Toronto, U.S. Open, Shanghai, Basel, Paris, London WTF. I would think he’ll play a minimum of six events and a maximum of eight. He might skip Paris because it is right after Basel. He may skip Toronto. But what Cilic has to do is go into the hard-court season and use all the lessons he has learnt, and all the experience he has now, to try to get slam number two.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /> <br />That really is it for Wimbledon. <br /> <br /><center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/GXSZQXGrfLJvulPBElXniABm3a7XBK05_ES970hMk1grWTamHHFEr26dUs8NagCHIJwumUUtB57TALRYcZCZLInjCyriuSu6oSv2_jBbkyEaetLo9fDIUQQxE5Scxy46jQ4BHzzLI-g7w0EoZBKn9EdPML1ssZfEN8CfrjLPzRjkaQsbj4fBSZEFckdP7hIJh9m6A3hR4QFcF0_EXPppXFPTIiFMwIUoe2YagLk3E6_0Apjw-alyJSpax_o7cq3W4mic-eLwVls8q27QfMb45-O1hVjLKcAP1iOY4-MLB1oifScppKTJElK7TrXlRgZLK9oXTBc5bnMhEWC9cuF9Q4sdtJkYp57ns3gU0Q0bXNtJ-6qeQk5BRIVaJR3-IvLuYKtiZfHTImXE0HzObjsdSkdoa21_M7v8kmkkYr8miZoK9M-qcPi_zzfWt8JDm3vLyXwfhgg3qE7H1Sno4WBuDJmW0AnKDWAy8cx3iOGkfX_xDGyio5hHJQ9oh-PQiaxawJG_Tvr_tSgAG8fFt6_wgOm6he9_R64FahZ8_pvdJH5eUQTyef_G3wwHaG-j_x2cvao7RxcwySizKDwdM35nOep1rce8XOWu0HDk7XvTi3OVeJ96DLQw2XAn=w405-h16-no"></center> <br /><br /><br /><center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/w1o3NKrUFxRw0NE7CL5DaBXEzdCooFuF0g-lBCVmk_nObvfMl8CePZcdBPe-B5ypuqQGkICq9tTPDkOhbIrTu5IyIQjkhlALRkul5lOQWWcEk09a75SzSHdCgjRI1JKD30qNrbre-fIqPIVMAXE7x3SaBCMPXqFdCWG0gkgdbK95MJ-JYy1LvDsSmeAHoUi0nq0Aqlc-ABWKKxqlzQ9MsjCLVoVh4jFvXOcPW33a-CID1C8xjN79QQfzZq_NftIc_xvlEMl5f8epHM4QSUuH0_8jSzJV5uP3hA1ijcLWReLD77iXBA-MxseOj5HhuCvbk1b9zxdLJ8vMjE1HkKU_k4MuT5ur_WI8kMVYa8xgHd7EI-pfqpCdOzuPC42VRgUmT6W6ZBPgTHPFA3u5tHmPRYtRV-RzQ9qpABIbmUmmh0yU9xAPc8XJU2kQFByUYJQgCBv8-QNvPPV60fTc-Av_vlC_Vf0MkObC4FXWX0SqXeqb_csC28Pa-gpI_0Rj4wxjDOZDigQKLcd_Zf5Z2GDmaXS80Dt9fv6UOBr-551FO1BhPEcYYbQNaoXPhCJlTaoTJ_jA9iqsAy83QGFo8lg9AOmz4AfsUn92BaH2qAd_Y-HIysUJeTq6eWal=w210-h60-no"></center>In Newport, Ivo Karlovic will defeat Adrian Mannarino in one semi-final. In the other it will be John Isner seeing off P-H Herbert. Dr. Ivo will defend his title. <br /><br />In Bastad, in the top half Pablo Carreno Busta will defeat Karen Khachanov. In the other Andre Ramos-Vinolas will see off David Ferrer before losing in an all-Spanish final. <br /><br />In Umag, Fabio Fognini beats David Goffin in the top semi. Gael Monfils will defeat Paolo Lorenzi in the bottom half but lose in the final. <br /> <br /><br /><center><iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UMb-Zdl1V74?ecver=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br /><br /><center>Thanks all and visit <a href="http://wtabackspin.blogspot.com">WTA BACKSPIN</a> please.</center></span>http://atpbackspin.blogspot.com/2017/07/wimbledon-recap.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Todd.Spiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14702766.post-8387268775939787282Sun, 16 Jul 2017 02:11:00 +00002017-07-15T22:11:53.439-04:00Wimbledon SF - The WTA Plays Its Joker<center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Jt4H-2xxAWOdCRZH6CXiB7W3b3keXXmfO6NzkM4m5OyB7S7E7YM2JJnyf4rCL3FKSAHOvWxsrgVSd3mNLeQpV5ZXVcD3MmwZo-Z2vSqCMsqivx2fDjaQSpQBJ0FnXlWVNgisWnfgKID8Tpb-Xx5Rlu2O4n_ZM67WRuT_iOu5Cxk0aUAXkJbWVYdlBFJB3O5b5I_-Qp7t_ufJGJ4f7hL_nswEI4yNB0n2whvBBY0a3aEEt7nAmTVN2CuKPyXXZbThEpATgNrjdWl8ZVgPa8YRaOHUi0W03HS3M3P3yf9KpTG7CkvHqaJCOngKHRU1WWrB2xIUQf1ULLD7JqZbKXrDcbonniA4uh9LByGfVVNu7m3QgQAYCt05JLiTxiMibBArVVoi2B9AKCuyoSUDBQn-lNsbsMNbTgg_nigCWoiISpjkL1cjateePJclAyMSb4fvA78ZAgf36wuqEna0bM1N1wQkmI7Iyz91BXFa6A9hghNp3zLGxI7L-N1-ZNQSEt7SXGNHavQdQ9vOJwpV8b4A6JlKkl9Y91NLFCoSdnkHOcO2P8lv7MODwZwy3a2PJjdATs5_cCkq6PGHUt44PoQcFua9WjJNVflGnMneUMdxdki5OVP6sWTp=w398-h48-no"></center>Hey Y'all. Galileo here.<br /><br />The grand slam is sacred to us here at BACKSPIN. Todd and I get to pass comment on the other, if we so desire. Mine usually start with 'congratulations to Serena Williams' or 'Serena has been upset by blah blah.' But today it is different. Ever since the second round I have known Garbine Muguruza would win. I have watched all of her matches and I have known that her awesome smile would ring out around Centre. I knew she would get past Williams today. But I had not wanted to jinx it. And when she dismissed Sveta I wasn't sad. Because I had made myself ready. In fact, I was happy that the Russian had done so well. That is twice now Muguruza has eased past her on the way to a title. <br /><br />Muguruza is...<br /><br /><center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/uL-91b-jI95KvAUEjgyHhSJ7ipXz-Wp0beER3DBbknMHqLr2ys0SydTQBU3zV2zFnaPEIcDDd0GIhpvIAMLdEfS23I3ziuhjDn7AjMzYYhgf6Ll198zcQYhZ1wwNfm-iCoAWkrDyl9w5NvGzsc0w0RwnzQj4Z-4huyywV8zt6bw8lFHCih3WVWlbI5nJCv1ywxA1cC7pdIZBmB5D3aog00zxyhhW5oOYblGA8X3RmNmKwBrG-aMdxZB3GZ2n1Lh9fQvgWnV2dDEodudXxs0fDzFqS8wih1xrp6VYgEAZneK3l9dbR6wQOEGzbfHxq3Bg39XM0Ku9yA20-dxHC8pxNrlK48Cl1wqasN1OgMvvA4nCC57QMOXTe1Xa-oIBFn2CmcZmQolz8uBvdxoDrZ_l8gIiPMdUyCZLs31w9yGKRJbgZv-9WHvjjcDtfbhVdHWgLjTQOz1qzGqT6BSqWMjV7fOZ0ypEiybby1LRN7AyzIaLIrlIITyVNUQA4PA6PUqe1hcY-5WfaROcH489iW95cOYZcVcDXpAqggKM8vFzAHyZCDgQhCCFCDVDbRZaTvZc2Vj8PyEfmA_qYr8oTl_tlwP5aHf7ylxwP6-MaKF1wgSvMnZAew5WmAb6=w300-h474-no"></center><span class="fullpost"><br /><br />She is the WTA player who's game I would like the most. Right now if I had to have any WTA player play for my life it would be her. Even before the tournament I would have picked her. Forget Pliskova, Kvitova or even Azarenka. Serena, Sharapova and the Belarussian all have huge question marks over them now. The Spaniard is the complete player on tour. Today her forehand wasn't working for the first ten games. She managed to right it and then took control with it. She survived several break points early on, at 2-3. She and Venus had several chances to break. But at 15-40 two long points both went her way. Well, one of them was long. And when she held there and then broke Venus the match swung towards her. <br /><br />The telling blow game when she broke in deuce in the next set. You could see her begin to rise. Venus didn't play awfully, she just slowly went away, overpowered totally in the last set. The Tennis Gods have decided that the Spanish girl is to be their joker, their top trump. Every now and then they play her and BANG! She'll just win that tournament. I think she could well never be world number one and yet always be the best player in the world. She already has a better Hall of Fame claim than Caroline Wozniacki.<br /><br />And now we come onto the complaint. 121 weeks. That is the total of weeks, which is about two and a half years, we have had a world number one with no slams. Wozniacki has not even been to a semi-final at two of the slams. Jelena Jankovic is not much better. Dinara Safina was pretty tragic from start to finish and never felt like the world's best. She never even felt like a top five player for much of her tenure. Who could forget her infamous match against Venus in 2009 at Wimbledon? She got a game. She served a double fault match point down in the final of Roland Garros. Now we have Pliskova. She 'won' the top ranking by blowing a lead to a player coming back from multiple surgeries in the second round of our greatest tournament. She has been to one semi-final and one final. She has a dreadful record at Wimbledon. It is why women's tennis is, undeservedly, a joke. <br /><br />The best players are never ranked number one. Two of the top five have won a slam. Four of the top ten have, but Venus and Kuznetsova haven't won one in years. On the men's side, every one of the top six has won a slam. Evonne Goolagong Cawley won seven slams and went to 18 finals. And she only got given two weeks at number one. It's so stupid. So I propose a new rule. You cannot be ranked number one until you have won a slam. Pliskova is going to win one eventually. But that rule should be in place. I would rather have in place a top player who has won but is not playing so well than one who has no clue how to win one.<br /><br />Muguruza is the darling of the women's game with a backhand that is effective as any shot out there. Even her forehand isn't really a weakness. And you just know she will have a terrible summer in the U.S.. The WTA is better than this. It is better than the world number one meaning nothing. And hopefully the bigger players win a slam soon. Simona Halep right now is a total choke artist. She can't get out of her own way. This modern crop of players are incapable of winning the biggest titles and being consistent. Doing both at the same time is too hard. <br /><br />Before we move on, a word on Venus Williams. She is a force of nature and she may yet win a slam. Nobody else this year has made two slam finals. She is a top ten player and her backhand still has real zip to it. Finally, Jelena Ostapenko is something else. She will always have a good summer. <br /><br />We have our mixed final and it is a doozy. As expected, Martina Hingis is through to final with partner Jamie Murray, and she will be trying to win the title for the second time. She also won it in 2015 with Leander Paes. She did not drop a set in 2015. She has won every slam except the ladies singles in Roland Garros. <br /><br /><center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/fVHJ3ZTTN5jcDcBXs-0SXF3tGw5NUtk8h2_JXqRUDg8yodtkZiLCFrB0vexJacZN2lsClDetL7ami4DlhJAzaDhotjkC3skUXz8sSUWzNisw8V0QzZkmeLqYGhxFXfwIsKFcvRZyRWARjRZjLr0dH8XhbG2sSY5RLh1jfdPmgxkrgvP8UK0CdVIb2MzooczDCBPBd-RU8EUGZ9dqw4fNXEqO1yWAx0WvKd_4jinoSaZfJ5qOzCdsffW3IOVEamIeWBXFi6GSUKvjx1-ug2UKyBok1TymEE9ve16nIDWGbvZ8yqzN5uw1k90WFC9qn2CLg9lgFodvvduV6xzTYRC5kNyOoCKqJuwtns_0EqNZimUCT9LYqtVCXa6frBSsT2aH4relV8JALkdXatPWIhSuL7le-06twLIL8r55WmemPJ27ZPyazTqgUc0NUlJlgksItkziVBi1y5KwNjUHKzSv9MOi9_C3dB-q1YbrBtY1F0fHXfROFtlEvey04xN287ndPDaCtqUAuDiQQInElwxboDVdWnovHGki3OEo05JtNj03AfLaw7yjJb1Vi5pxs3-05tr70sySoVBVqynB_xw068eciDBwGnkmiGzLW6sPUTjPpfoELeAfzEY1=w420-h602-no"></center><br />And, to be honest, it is totally her fault she doesn't have that. Well, I suppose the French crowd had a little to do with it. <br /><br />Defending champions Henri Kontinen and Heather Watson won through in dramatic fashion. They defeated second seeds Soares/Vesnina 6-4, 6-7[6], 6-3. They could not convert on that match point in the second set breaker, but managed to edge it in the third. They broke twice, never lost serve, and hit 23 winners to six. It was an excellent performance. Vesnina has had disappointment in the singles and now in the mixed, but she woin the Wimbledon title in the ladies doubles (love & love!!), so she has that, at least. <br /><br />Now let's dive into the singles and we'll see if we can get through some of the duller ones more quickly.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">CENTRE COURT:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">CILIC D. QUERREY</span> <br />It always felt as if Sam Querrey, with three consecutive five-setters under his belt, was going to be found wanting. Indeed, he ran out of puff in the end. The first set featured no break points. Against the run of play, Querrey took the first in a breaker. He had looked a little shakier at points, but both men were pretty solid. In the breaker, Cilic was interrupted at 6-6 by a spectator fainting in the crowd. He had lost it. It was the American's chance. He took the breaker 8-6. He had to capitalise on the opportunity. But he couldn't. He let Cilic find himself in the second set. Had he broken he might have won rather quickly. Instead the Croat found a way and then held on. He broke to 15 in the 7th game and rolled through the rest of the set. It was now 6-7[6], 6-4. At 1-1 in the third, Cilic broke but could not consolidate. They served out the rest of the set until there was another breaker. At 3-4, Querrey hit two bad errors, one on each wing, and that was all she wrote. In the fourth, he looked spent. Cilic was in the ascendancy. But there was another twist in the tale. From 2-4 Cilic won three games on the trot as he finally found his forehand. Querrey clung on at 4-5 but he could not do it at 5-6. With a roar, Cilic became the first player seeded 7th to make the finals at Wimbledon. Querrey has had the result of his career. If I were the American I would go to Rhode Island and ride this form to another title. He'll be tired, but it would be worth his while. As for Cilic, well, he will have to go all out against Roger Federer. Error count doesn't matter. Just go for it. Attack everything. Do not get into rallies. Serve and volley, mix up the points and serve in different places. And go to the backhand side of Federer.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">CENTRE COURT:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">FEDERER D. BERDYCH</span> <br />For Tomas Berdych it must have felt like a walk to the gallows. He held on for as long as possible, played some lovely tennis and impressed the crowd. But even the Czech playing at a very high level could only push the GOAT so far. In the first set Roger broke early and then got a tad arrogant. It was a mistake. He was a little too casual and Berdman broke back a couple of games later. But in the breaker Federer just went into 17th gear and won it 7-4. Against anyone else in the world Berdie might well have taken a set. In the second he again gamely held on. The pressure on his serve throughout was immense, but he refused to back down. So focused was he on holding onto his own games he failed to take several good opportunities to break. It was 7-4 in the breaker again and suddenly it was an even longer road back. The last time Tomas came back from two sets down was in 2005. He wouldn't do it this time, either. Roger's constant pressure eventually told in the third and he closed it out 6-4 to claim victory. Fedex blasted 53 winners and won 36 per cent of return points on his way to a memorable victory. Berdych stays in the top 20 with this rather excellent result. He will be a top 16 seed next year, too, if not more. Federer will move on to the final. There he has to move Cilic around, he has to use low slices and make his opponent move. If he can return decently, too, he will win. He needs to block back a lot of the bigger serves.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /> <br /><br />Now, a prediction. Your first time in a Wimbledon rarely goes well. Rafa Nadal lost the first set in a bagel. Monica Seles was humiliated. Andy Murray struggled with the pressure. It is not easy. Cilic will come out firing and take the first set 6-3. It will be 4-4 in the second where Federer slowly takes charge. The Swiss is going to figure out the Croat and win 3-6, 7-5, 7-5, 6-3. Or thereabouts. Federer wants this and he has not dropped a set at Halle or Wimbledon. He has looked awesome and he will know exactly how to beat Cilic. <br /><br />I leave you only with this:<br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="es" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wimbledon?src=hash">#wimbledon</a> . Sin palabras... ?? <a href="https://t.co/0AsjaC4xwd">pic.twitter.com/0AsjaC4xwd</a></p>&mdash; Conchita Martínez (@conchitamartinz) <a href="https://twitter.com/conchitamartinz/status/886259685459992576">July 15, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /> <br /><br />Thanks all and visit <a href="http://wtabackspin.blogspot.com">WTA BACKSPIN</a> please.</span>http://atpbackspin.blogspot.com/2017/07/wimbledon-sf-wta-plays-its-joker.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Todd.Spiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14702766.post-7752675286232974576Sat, 15 Jul 2017 02:12:00 +00002017-07-15T01:12:57.852-04:00Wimbledon QF - Brace Yourself, There's a Storm Coming<center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Jt4H-2xxAWOdCRZH6CXiB7W3b3keXXmfO6NzkM4m5OyB7S7E7YM2JJnyf4rCL3FKSAHOvWxsrgVSd3mNLeQpV5ZXVcD3MmwZo-Z2vSqCMsqivx2fDjaQSpQBJ0FnXlWVNgisWnfgKID8Tpb-Xx5Rlu2O4n_ZM67WRuT_iOu5Cxk0aUAXkJbWVYdlBFJB3O5b5I_-Qp7t_ufJGJ4f7hL_nswEI4yNB0n2whvBBY0a3aEEt7nAmTVN2CuKPyXXZbThEpATgNrjdWl8ZVgPa8YRaOHUi0W03HS3M3P3yf9KpTG7CkvHqaJCOngKHRU1WWrB2xIUQf1ULLD7JqZbKXrDcbonniA4uh9LByGfVVNu7m3QgQAYCt05JLiTxiMibBArVVoi2B9AKCuyoSUDBQn-lNsbsMNbTgg_nigCWoiISpjkL1cjateePJclAyMSb4fvA78ZAgf36wuqEna0bM1N1wQkmI7Iyz91BXFa6A9hghNp3zLGxI7L-N1-ZNQSEt7SXGNHavQdQ9vOJwpV8b4A6JlKkl9Y91NLFCoSdnkHOcO2P8lv7MODwZwy3a2PJjdATs5_cCkq6PGHUt44PoQcFua9WjJNVflGnMneUMdxdki5OVP6sWTp=w398-h48-no"></center>Hey Y'all. Galileo here.<br /><br />Welcome to the men’s semi-finals at Wimbledon 2017. We have a lot to talk about, as now there's a clear favourite for the men's title. If it isn’t Roger Federer then this BACKSPINNER is Mary from the song "Thunder Road."<span class="fullpost"><br /><br />We have come to the final days of Wimbledon. On Friday we had the men’s semi-finals. But first let us have a look back to Wednesday, talk about the men’s and mixed doubles. The seedings in mixed double are whacko. The defending champs don’t get seeded? The Australian Open champs were unseeded at the French.<br /><br />By the time we got to the quarters we had only three seeds left. We usually get left with four quality pairs, but the seeding needs to be worked on. The semifinals included the top two seeds and the defending champions. But how is it that every slam the top eight seeds do so badly? At the last slam, the 7th seeds won. Last year Kontinen and Watson were also unseeded. They beat the 15th seeds in the final. <br />The mixed tournament at Wimbledon is the biggest in the world. There are 16 seeds, and six rounds of play. You would think that with the biggest seeds getting a bye the results would be better. <br /> <br />It is the same story in the men’s doubles, too. The seeds just don’t last. Wimbledon is the slam with the funkiest results. Every year we have about four surprise winners across the events. Yesterday we had the battle for the top ranking. It now belongs to Marcelo Melo. He saw off Kontinen/Peers with a lot of help from partner Lukasz Kubot. It was a seesaw match. They looked the better pair for the first four sets. But the top seeds fought hard and dragged it into a 5th. But the 4th seeds had survived two long five setters already. <br /> <br />Serving second did it for Henri Kontinen in the end. He and Peers lost 6-3, 6-7[4], 6-2, 4-6, 9-7. While the epic three and a half hour match was going on, with the crowd going wild, the other semi-final was taking place.<br /> <br />Over the course of more than four and a half hours, Oliver Marach and Mate Pavic triumphed over Frank Skugor and Nikola Mektic. They decided early on to beat the 9-7 mark set in the other match. They won 4-6, 7-5, 7-6[3], 3-6, 17-15. They won eight more points, but both teams broke thrice. There was a point in that last set where five consecutive games went by without a single point against serve. Eight of the last ten games before the final break did not see a point against service. <br /> <br />It was a classic match with the 16th seeds making their maiden slam final. And now we come onto the main items for today - the men’s singles quarters.<br /> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">CENTRE COURT:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">QUERREY D. MURRAY</span> <br />You could see how tired both men were by the end of this. Querrey had played his third five setter in a row. Murray had been carrying a long term injury. In the beginning, Sam was tight, he was nervous. He had a real chance this time. At 3-3 in the second set Murray broke and it looked as if the tide was going to flow in one direction from there. But Querrey swept the last three games of the set to tie it up. He only lost five more points from a set and a break down, to win the second. The third went without a break. Murray edged the breaker 7-4 and looked to have all the momentum. But his legs were gone and the American won the last two sets 6-1, 6-1. It was an incredible match, where Murray looked like he was going to win but choked away advantage after advantage. It is clear that Murray’s heath and form are two huge issues. The answer might be six months off. It worked for Agassi. It worked for Federer. It worked for Rafa. Hey, Rafas done it multiple times. Murray won just 40 per cent of his second serves, 15 per cent behind Querrey. He needs to work on that area, too. It was just a total mess. While the American went on to face Cilic, Murray faces a long, hard summer of trying to defend points.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">CENTRE COURT:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">FEDERER D. RAONIC</span> <br />Last year Federer was broken, tired after his epic with Cilic, out of form and about to chuck in his whole season. It took Raonic five sets to do it then and even then he nearly didn’t. This year Federer has reigned supreme. He has been in charge all year, winning with reckless abandon. He wanted a measure of revenge and got it, winning 6-4, 6-2, 7-6[4]. Federer won 90 per cent of his first serve points, 20 more than Raonic. Out of 89 return points the Canuck won just 19. They both served 11 aces. This was a supreme serving day from the Swiss master. In the first set, Roger had break points on his opponent's second and third service games. He broke in the 5th game and never looked back. In the breaker he got out to 3-0, but a god-like passing shot changed the momentum. Federer won seven of the last eight points to take it. Querrey is going to win the aces race barring something extraordinary from Cilic. But Raonic will place third there. Federer has cracked 10,000 career aces at this tournament. He is close to second all-time, being just 100 or so behind Goran Ivanisevic. The Canadian played alright but, like in Australia, was unable to worry his opponent. Nadal outclassed him then and Fed’s done it here.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">COURT ONE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">CILIC D. MULLER</span> <br />On Friday, Cilic became the first player seeded 7th to make the final. It’s a bizarre stat. In this match it was a server’s duel. Both players broke three times, but it was the Croat who won 3-6, 7-6[6], 7-5, 5-7, 6-1. It took three and a half hours to advance to his fourth career semifinal. Considering he was 7-8 on the year going into Istanbul, this has been an extraordinary tournament for him. He served 33 aces to 17 and hit 74 winners to 54. He won 30 per cent of his return points, one more than his opponent. In the end the big difference was actually Nadal. The 15-13 match took it out of his opponent. The Croat has been gifted a lovely draw and he has taken advantage of it. His forehand is looking very good and he can definitely trouble Federer on Sunday. But how will he handle the occasion? He has played so much more tennis than the Swiss.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">COURT ONE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">BERDYCH D. DJOKOVIC (ret.)</span> <br />Novak’s health has gone. Maybe it was playing Mannarino the day before and then playing again the next day. Up a breaker and 2-0 Nole called it quits. He had a great match win against the Frenchman the day before, too. But his health, like Murray, is not what it was once upon a time. He has a fight on his hands to get back to world number one, too. Where does the Serb go from here? <br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Djokovic considering break from tennis––with surgery on injured right elbow a possibility.<br>Read: <a href="https://t.co/WC6cUveTrk">https://t.co/WC6cUveTrk</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Wimbledon?src=hash">#Wimbledon</a> <a href="https://t.co/YAevM9XnRj">pic.twitter.com/YAevM9XnRj</a></p>&mdash; TENNIS.com (@Tennis) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tennis/status/885283422280839169">July 12, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /> <br /><br />Thanks all and visit <a href="http://wtabackspin.blogspot.com">WTA BACKSPIN</a> please.</span>http://atpbackspin.blogspot.com/2017/07/wimbledon-qf-brace-yourself-theres.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Todd.Spiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14702766.post-2192077635573276592Tue, 11 Jul 2017 03:34:00 +00002017-07-10T23:34:06.634-04:00Wimbledon Day 7- Just Another Manic Monday, Oh I Wish It Were [Finals] Sunday<center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Jt4H-2xxAWOdCRZH6CXiB7W3b3keXXmfO6NzkM4m5OyB7S7E7YM2JJnyf4rCL3FKSAHOvWxsrgVSd3mNLeQpV5ZXVcD3MmwZo-Z2vSqCMsqivx2fDjaQSpQBJ0FnXlWVNgisWnfgKID8Tpb-Xx5Rlu2O4n_ZM67WRuT_iOu5Cxk0aUAXkJbWVYdlBFJB3O5b5I_-Qp7t_ufJGJ4f7hL_nswEI4yNB0n2whvBBY0a3aEEt7nAmTVN2CuKPyXXZbThEpATgNrjdWl8ZVgPa8YRaOHUi0W03HS3M3P3yf9KpTG7CkvHqaJCOngKHRU1WWrB2xIUQf1ULLD7JqZbKXrDcbonniA4uh9LByGfVVNu7m3QgQAYCt05JLiTxiMibBArVVoi2B9AKCuyoSUDBQn-lNsbsMNbTgg_nigCWoiISpjkL1cjateePJclAyMSb4fvA78ZAgf36wuqEna0bM1N1wQkmI7Iyz91BXFa6A9hghNp3zLGxI7L-N1-ZNQSEt7SXGNHavQdQ9vOJwpV8b4A6JlKkl9Y91NLFCoSdnkHOcO2P8lv7MODwZwy3a2PJjdATs5_cCkq6PGHUt44PoQcFua9WjJNVflGnMneUMdxdki5OVP6sWTp=w398-h48-no"></center>Hey Y'all. Galileo here.<br /><br />Well. by now you have heard the news, the big news. Yes, Svetlana Kuznetsova has made her fourth Wimbledon quarterfinal. A decade after her last, she is back. And the fact that just making her seeding is a major shock is more proof of just the kind of player she is. She has dropped zero sets. She has dominated all before her. Should she beat Garbine Muguruza, against whom she is 1-3 and not the favourite, she is likely to make the final. This is, and I never thought I'd say it about Wimbledon, her best chance to win a third slam.<br /> <br />Oh, and Gilles Muller beat Rafa Nadal in five hours.<span class="fullpost"> There is so much to talk about, including the match of the year, so let's go through the dubs before we hit the singles. Today was undoubtedly the day of the year tennis-wise. So much happened, so many dreams were crushed and so many players had a career day. Angie Kerber lost the world number one ranking while Andy Murray held his. The men's doubles ranking is there for the taking, too. <br /><br />Todd also got a great day's tennis. He will have to take a careful approach to discussing the demise of The Radwanska. Due to my rabid obsession with a certain Russian tennis player I might be forgiven, but Todd must be careful. We had to make our HQ and Academy monster-proof, but even so... <em>she does know our address.</em> The only force greater than that of The Radwanska may be the 1988 Graf. That is what old texts and lore indicate, but further tests need to be done.<br /><br />The last seeds remaining in the men's doubles are the 1st, 4th, 10th and 16th. And those first three are all in the top half. Marcin Matkowski and Max Mirnyi have to be considered favourites in the bottom half now. They saw off Monroe/Sitak in four sets today. Kontinen/Peers edged Nys/Sancic 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in two and a quarter hours. If Kubot/Melo go one round further than the top seeds then Melo becomes the new world number one. Seeded fourth, they could meet in the semi-finals. Ryan Harrison and Michael Venus continued their excellent form by beating Dodig/Granollers 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-7[7], 6-3. <br /><br />Now let's dive into the singles and we'll see if we can get through some of the duller ones more quickly...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">CENTRE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">MURRAY D. PAIRE</span> <br />Andy Murray played some of his best tennis. He has not looked this good so far but, all of a sudden, he looks fantastic. Benoit Paire turned up, hit some great shots and played some lovely points. But his formidable attack was blunted out by the wall that is Andy Murray. Paire hit 50 winners, twice Murray's tally in the 7-6[1], 6-4, 6-4 loss. He broke the Scot's serve three times, but lost his own five times. He played the right game but he didn't serve well all day. He gave Muzza far too many looks at a second serve, far too many chances on what is his best weapon. Now, against all odds, Murray is in the quarters. With Sam Querrey his next opponent, followed by Gilles Muller or Marin Cilic he should be feeling fairly confident. If he doesn't choke he will make a fourth Wimbledon final. Paire will be ranked 37th next Monday. Well, approximately. He should use that as a springboard.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">CENTRE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">FEDERER D. DIMITROV</span> <br />Federer now leads the head-to-head 6-0. And, no, there wasn't a close match in there, this BACKSPINNER is afraid to say. Brisbane was tight, but apart from that Fedex has never been troubled by either Dimitrov or Gasquet. It took the Swiss just over an hour and a half to win 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. Federer felt his way in the first set, before taking control of the match. With five breaks and 24 winners it was an easy performance from Federer. He breezed past a slightly off Dimitrov. It promised so much but delivered so little. Had Dimitrov won that match against Nadal in Melbourne he might not be having such issues now. That match has thrown off his whole season. He has not been the same since and that combined with this mental fear of Roger made for a dull match. There were a few sparkling rallies, but not enough to give life to the match. Roger has made his 50th quarterfinal at slam level. Chris Evert had 54 and Martina Navratilova 53. That's the kind of level he is at now. He has won 88 matches at Wimbledon in his career. That is another record. Two more wins will see him overtake John Newcombe for second place on the list for grass court wins at slam level. Newcombe has won 89 matches. Overall on grass, Federer is ten away from passing Jimmy Connors. His next opponent is 6th seed Raonic. Federer will be wanting a measure of revenge for last year. If injured Federer loses by an inch then healthy Federer should cruise. He will exploit the movement of Raonic and take the net away from his opponent.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">COURT ONE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">MULLER D. NADAL</span> <br />First just check this out:<br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">So many to pick from, but this extraordinary rally between Rafael Nadal and Gilles Muller has to be up there! What an match! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Wimbledon?src=hash">#Wimbledon</a> <a href="https://t.co/7aUVIM26a9">pic.twitter.com/7aUVIM26a9</a></p>&mdash; easyodds_au (@easyodds_au) <a href="https://twitter.com/easyodds_au/status/884552217268809729">July 10, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /><br />That was the norm. This was a match where the 5th set lasted 132 minutes. The other four lasted two hours and 35 minutes. This was a match that we had earmarked as a doozie from the start. And when Rafa started it by bumping his head we thought there might be trouble. Sure enough the 34 year old took the first two sets 6-3, 6-4. Rafa couldn't find a purchase or his groove. But when he's down by two sets it's Rafa time. He broke early in the second and then took it 6-3. He broke the veteran for the second and last time in the next set. The Spaniard had 0-40, blew it and then won it in a breaker anyway. So there we were. All set up for the 5th set. There were no breaks for the first nine games. And nobody ever takes Rafa into 'overtime' except Djokovic and Federer. It looked as if it would stay that way when Muller got two match points with Rafa at 4-5, 15-40. But when he was denied both with big booming serves we entered into the insane territory. That's when winning by two gets so hard. It took him an age to get another match point - 55 minutes later to be exact. That was at 9-10. After 31 games in a row without a break, something which will shock you if you only ever watch women's tennis, it was still even. But, on his 5th match point, and 90 minutes after the first, the Luxembourgian triumphed. His reward is a clash with on-fire Marin Cilic. With zero sets dropped, Cilic is looking the most dangerous player left in the draw. His serve is booming and he has so much self belief. But if Muller's serve gets going anything could happen. Nadal misses out on the chance to take the top spot for now. Meanwhile, Muller's 30 aces give him 102 for the tournament, three ahead of Anderson and Querrey. Both are on 99. Raonic is fourth with 92 and Cilic 5th on 72. Expect a lot of aces and a breaker or two in Muller's next match.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">COURT ONE :</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">RAONIC D. ZVEREV</span> <br />Out on Court One we had another classic. In fact, there really wasn't a bad fourth rounder. Both Zverev and Raonic have looked good throughout the tournament. The German has looked like he might make his slam breakthrough here. But at the fatal moment he choked, he couldn't quite get over the line and that was it. In an ironic twist, the old 'new gen' saw off the new 'new gen'. It took everything that Raonic had, but he won 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1. With five breaks to three, and 61 winners to 50, it was the tightest of margins in this match. At 5-5 in the fourth, it was deuce. It was the German's moment. But he blew it, losing his service from 40-15 up in his own service game. Yet again he has gotten within inches but been denied. The Canadian was lucky to escape with a win here. And now he gets to play Roger Federer. He just needs to hit out and try to find the backhand as much as possible. He needs to go for broke and watch tapes of last year's semi-final. For Zverev this was a good result. He needs a top eight seed to be truly effective in slams.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">COURT THREE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">BERDYCH D. THIEM</span> <br />Berdych edged through 6-3, 6-7[1], 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. The entire key to the match? Berdych won 29 percent of his return points. His opponent got 26 percent. In these situations, three per cent is the difference. In matches between two incredibly talented players it is little things. Berdych felt like the favourite coming in, with all the grass court experience and that big serve. He got 74 per cent of his first serves in. He served up a storm. Thiem only broke once. Once in three hours of play. The Austrian is set to rise a place to 7th, whilst Berdman is going to be falling down the rankings. To make the finals the Czech will have to likely get through Djokovic and Federer. The silver lining is Djokovic (<em>who didn't get to start his match on Monday</em>) now has to play on back-to-back days. Could he have one more deep run? This is his big chance.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">OUTER COURT SELECTION:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">QUERREY D. ANDERSON</span><br />The American won 5-7, 7-6[3], 6-3, 6-7[9], 6-3. 31 aces apiece. Two breaks to one. Anderson hit 66 winners to 58. Both men won just 25 per cent of receiving points. This was a big-hitting match full of quick games and physical points. It was only three hours long this match. It was quick because of just how big each of them can serve. Anderson had the early runnings but Querrey broke open the match in the second set breaker. But in the fourth the South African struck back. He saved four match points and forced it to a 5th. Anderson was serving at 2-3 in the 5th when a double fault gave Querrey 0-30. He ended up breaking to love. The American finally took it on match point number six. Querrey admirably matches his performance from last year. Now he has to go for everything against Murray. He can cause an upset. But will he?<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><br /><br />Thanks all and visit <a href="http://wtabackspin.blogspot.com">WTA BACKSPIN</a> please.</span>http://atpbackspin.blogspot.com/2017/07/wimbledon-day-7-just-another-manic.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Todd.Spiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14702766.post-2636281858612656092Sun, 09 Jul 2017 18:41:00 +00002017-07-09T14:41:10.281-04:00Wimbledon Day 6- Hello Darkness, My Old Friend, I've Come to Talk with You Again<center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Jt4H-2xxAWOdCRZH6CXiB7W3b3keXXmfO6NzkM4m5OyB7S7E7YM2JJnyf4rCL3FKSAHOvWxsrgVSd3mNLeQpV5ZXVcD3MmwZo-Z2vSqCMsqivx2fDjaQSpQBJ0FnXlWVNgisWnfgKID8Tpb-Xx5Rlu2O4n_ZM67WRuT_iOu5Cxk0aUAXkJbWVYdlBFJB3O5b5I_-Qp7t_ufJGJ4f7hL_nswEI4yNB0n2whvBBY0a3aEEt7nAmTVN2CuKPyXXZbThEpATgNrjdWl8ZVgPa8YRaOHUi0W03HS3M3P3yf9KpTG7CkvHqaJCOngKHRU1WWrB2xIUQf1ULLD7JqZbKXrDcbonniA4uh9LByGfVVNu7m3QgQAYCt05JLiTxiMibBArVVoi2B9AKCuyoSUDBQn-lNsbsMNbTgg_nigCWoiISpjkL1cjateePJclAyMSb4fvA78ZAgf36wuqEna0bM1N1wQkmI7Iyz91BXFa6A9hghNp3zLGxI7L-N1-ZNQSEt7SXGNHavQdQ9vOJwpV8b4A6JlKkl9Y91NLFCoSdnkHOcO2P8lv7MODwZwy3a2PJjdATs5_cCkq6PGHUt44PoQcFua9WjJNVflGnMneUMdxdki5OVP6sWTp=w398-h48-no"></center>Hey Y'all. Galileo here.<br /><br />Wimbledon seems to be the slam where the most famous upsets happen. Lori McNeil and George Bastl can tell you. So can the big names they conquered; Steffi Graf and Pete Sampras. Of course, you also have Luis Horna taking out Roger Federer at the French, the legend of Robin Soderling, Stefan Edberg's shock defeat in New York and Mark Philippoussis taking out Sampras in Australia. And you can look back at Iva Majoli, Mark Edmondson and Richard Krajicek and think about what they did. <br /><br />But the most famous runs, like Goran Ivanisevic, like Jelena Dokic and like Marat Safin in 2008 all seem to feed off the one thing Wimbledon has that the others don't. It has, hidden somewhere, a large reserve of magic. And every now and then it fuels a run or a match or a memorable occurence. Other slams don't have that magic, don't have that fairy dust. <span class="fullpost"><br /><br />Melbourne's slam is rightfully called the happy slam. It is fun, it has night tennis and it specialises in giving old champions a second chance - see Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Justine Henin and Venus Williams. It is also the sunniest slam, though that may not count as a good thing. But it is excellent at being sunny. Roland Garros has this magnificent exoticness about it. It feels almost as if one were on a beach. It feels somewhat like being on holiday. And that slam is the one which loves to be different. Nowhere else would dislike its ten-time champion, or love Guga Kuerten the way it does. Nowhere else boos its home players with quite the same fervor. That is the slam that will forever be the one that made Hingis cry. The U.S. Open has so much passion, with the singing, the dancing, the music and the 3am finishes. It is the party slam. Utterly unorganized, it is always messy and always fantastic. The U.S. Open is like apple crisp. Chaotic, not good for your well being, but totally delicious. <br /><br />What tends to happen at Wimbledon, from an upset point of view, is that big names, big seeds and other people of renown get trapped at 7pm on a smaller court, from No.2 downwards, and there, in the dying light of English dusk, they are trapped and slowly removed. Li Na went in such a way a few years ago. Who can forget Stan Wawrinka pushing Murray to the brink on Centre a few years ago?<br /><br />The champions hear the sound of dusky silence, feel the blackness coming. They are told 'it'll be fine. You'll beat them easily. Playing on Court 18 is fine.” And slowly they realize they have been caught in a web. And they fight, in the growing gloom, for survival. One of two things will happen at 8:37 pm. The champion, in a tight spot, will pray for play to be called. Or the opponent, feeling their challenge fade, will cling on in desperate hope to push the match another half an hour. <br /><br />The crowd, roaring for death, like in Roman times, are either very helpful or the total opposite. And they can choose on a whim. It is not helped by the fact that, by 7PM, they are all very drunk. Drunk on the occasion, drunk on the champers and reveling in the once-a-year atmosphere, the crowd becomes very French, as the politeness drains out of them.<br /><br />Second seeds in this year's doubles tournament, Nicolas Mahut and P-H Herbert, found themselves the latest victims of The Dusk. With the Bryans, who are now 39, going out in straight sets earlier the signs were already ominous. Throw in British pairing of Marcus Willis and Jay Clarke - Cinderella and an 18 year old - and you could smell trouble. The defending champs seemed to be fine for the first half an hour, but soon began to toil. The Brits led going into the fourth set 3-6, 6-1, 7-6[3]. In the fourth set at 4-5, on the Mahut serve, the Brits led 0-40. But with the help of some big serves the Frenchies dug their way out of it and took the fourth set 7-5. That should have been the end of matters. But no. The Brits would not be denied. They sealed the final set 6-3 with an ace. And they won in five despite winning five fewer points. And so The Dusk claimed another big name. <br /><br />Now they face Mate Pavic/Oliver Marach, the 16th seeds. With the Bryans gone, the semi-finals are there for the taking. But how much magic will Wimbledon alot Marcus Willis?<br /><br />And now for Saturday's singles wrap-up...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">CENTRE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">DJOKOVIC D. GULBIS</span> <br />It was a consumate performance from Novak Djokovic, a lesson in how to deal with a banana skin. The Latvian broke early, with a blistering backhand, and then served big throughout the first set, and looked like he make take it. Indeed, the commentators were talking about how good he was. But then he lost his serve at 4-3, lost his nerve, and disappeared. Nole took the first two sets 6-4, 6-1. Gulbis went walkabout after losing his serve and didn't re-emerge until the final set. He made that one tight and almost sneaked it, but Djokovic took the crowd out of the match. Once a crowd believes a match is dead it probably is. They just wanted to see Roger Federer. The Latvian was 38-37 on the winners count, so he was at least effective. But you cannot go off mentally when you're taking on a top five player on Centre Court. Any lapse and you're down a set. He went away for two hours. And in the breaker Novak just put his level up, knowing he couldn't let it go four. Andy Murray could learn things from the Serbs' approach.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">CENTRE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">FEDERER D. M.ZVEREV</span> <br />Federer can do this:<br /><br /><center><iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V5tprJquyuU?ecver=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><center><iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/h6A_Tn4rGkQ?ecver=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />Sometimes you think to yourself, did he just invent that shot? He doesn't just hit all the shots, yes, <em>he invents them, too.</em> Fedex swept past Mischa Zverev 7-6[3], 6-4, 6-4. It took three breaks and a little shy of two hours to win through to another third round here at Wimbledon. The German is a fantastic volleyer and played some nice shots, but it had the feel of a match where Federer was happy to sit back and break a couple of times. In the breaker the Swiss star hit some awesome shots and adjusted his level when he knew he had to. The veteran has never taken a set off the third seed and he didn't look like it today. He should have been more aggressive, he should have stepped in and attacked Federer's second serve. He should have been more proactive. But when your opponent goes 61-7 on the winners ratio and serves at 60 per cent first serves in, it can be a little daunting. Zverev did his job, but Federer now has a very tough ask. Grigor Dimitrov just beat Dudi Sela 6-1, 6-1 retired. But before you get excited you should look at the head-to-head. It is 5-0 Federer and the Bulgarian has won just one set. But that was a year ago. Still, if Dimitrov does win it will be an extraordinary result.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">COURT ONE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">RAONIC D. RAMOS-VINOLAS</span> <br />It appears that the Canadian has taken over the role of 'Wawrinka'. Really good, wins a lot, but never gets noticed. He made the final last year. He has been top ten for years. His serve could break bricks and his forehand is a legitimate weapon on its own. His gameplan is so simple even I could operate it. He has dropped one set this tournament. And his 7-6[3], 6-4, 7-5 victory over the Spaniard on Friday was another impressive one. Plus he has now closed the gap in the aces race. His 21 aces saw him rise to third, with 68. That is joint with Anderson and Querrey, but two behind Isner and four behind Muller. The first set was a real grind, with the Canuck struggling to break down the wall. But as the match wore on, his forehand combined with the surface eventually did in Ramos-Vinolas. Raonic only won 2 out of 13 break points. In tennis, at the big levels, you have to take your break points. For only the third time he has made the fourth round here. But now he has to face Alex Zverev. There are so many good matches on Monday, but if you get a chance, tune into that. This BACKSPINNER predicts a five set Raonic victory, with two breakers in there somewhere.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">COURT ONE :</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">THIEM D. DONALDSON</span> <br />It was an unusual experience for Thiem on Friday, when he played a kid. Thiem was the elder statesman. Jared Donaldson is only 20. And that kid, who just made the third round of Wimbledon, will rise some ten places to 58 in the world. That is seven places higher than his career high. Even better is that with that ranking he will not only be allowed to enter most events, he may even be seeded in the smaller 250's. In Munich the lowest two seeds were ranked 52nd and 54th. In Istanbul the bottom seeds were 48th and 53rd. And if he makes a few quarterfinals he could crack the top 50. He doesn't turn 21 until the end of the season. It's a big achievement. Thiem dismissed him 7-5, 6-4, 6-2 but he fought so hard for two sets before fading away in the last. He showed mettle, weaponry and not a little mental fortitude. Next time he meets the Austrian he will do even better. America is building a fantastic generation of new talent. Thiem's next match is against Tomas Berdych. They have met just once; Berdych spanked him in the fourth round of the U.S. Open three years ago. The Czech will know if he can win again he may be able to break back into the top ten. Thiem needs to use low slice and also hit a couple of dropshots. If he can move the big man around he will be successful.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">COURT TWO:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">QUERREY D. TSONGA</span> <br />Querrey has defeated Tsonga 6-2, 3-6, 7-6[5], 1-6, 7-5. This BACKSPINNER was at this match, all the way from the end of the first set. He saw four sets of brilliant, aggressive, grass-court tennis. The crowd, who were totally pro-Tsonga, bellowed and hollered to get their man over the line. And I joined in, happily, shouting at both men to do their best. Chanting in French, calling out go go Jo Jo and cheering when Querrey won a point. It was like the feeling you get after a third glass of wine but you know you'll feel great in the morning. It was a match played in the spirit of Wimbledon. Both men hitting some fantastic shots, and congratulating each other on points well played. Tsonga couldn't quite break Querreys game down. The American's gameplan, and enormous serve, were perfect. In the fourth set he basically chucked it in once he was a break down. He knew that light was fading. He knew if he wanted to get it done that night he had to get the fourth over with quickly. And at 5-6, after 11 games of brutal serving where both men had had break chances, the umpire finally called time. He was heartily and deservedly booed. And the next day it was over in two minutes. But during that magical evening, where The Dusk nearly took another soul, the packed court and high quality of tennis felt like a little slice of heaven, a little oasis. A live tennis match is like nothing else. It is incomparable, just seeing your favourite player two metres away. But the Frenchman is out and Querrey moves on to play Kevin Anderson. And what an opportunity that is.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">OUTER COURT SELECTION :</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">MANNARINO D. MONFILS</span><br />Mannarino won 7-6[4], 4-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-2. Monfils blows it again. If you've sat through one of his five-setters you've sat through them all. This BACKSPINNER has no wish to go through it and analyse it - <em>just ask Todd why the Frenchman is so frustrating.</em> Still, it is a good result for Mannarino. But now he has Novak Djokovic. After coming back from two sets to one down twice in a row he must be exahausted. He lost to Nole in straights last year. Expect the same this time.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><br /><br />Thanks all and visit <a href="http://wtabackspin.blogspot.com">WTA BACKSPIN</a> please.</span>http://atpbackspin.blogspot.com/2017/07/wimbledon-day-6-hello-darkness-my-old.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Todd.Spiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14702766.post-946475723245428446Sat, 08 Jul 2017 17:24:00 +00002017-07-08T18:24:18.233-04:00Wimbledon Day 5- "We Better Get Onto the Hill, It'll Be Over Soon."<center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Jt4H-2xxAWOdCRZH6CXiB7W3b3keXXmfO6NzkM4m5OyB7S7E7YM2JJnyf4rCL3FKSAHOvWxsrgVSd3mNLeQpV5ZXVcD3MmwZo-Z2vSqCMsqivx2fDjaQSpQBJ0FnXlWVNgisWnfgKID8Tpb-Xx5Rlu2O4n_ZM67WRuT_iOu5Cxk0aUAXkJbWVYdlBFJB3O5b5I_-Qp7t_ufJGJ4f7hL_nswEI4yNB0n2whvBBY0a3aEEt7nAmTVN2CuKPyXXZbThEpATgNrjdWl8ZVgPa8YRaOHUi0W03HS3M3P3yf9KpTG7CkvHqaJCOngKHRU1WWrB2xIUQf1ULLD7JqZbKXrDcbonniA4uh9LByGfVVNu7m3QgQAYCt05JLiTxiMibBArVVoi2B9AKCuyoSUDBQn-lNsbsMNbTgg_nigCWoiISpjkL1cjateePJclAyMSb4fvA78ZAgf36wuqEna0bM1N1wQkmI7Iyz91BXFa6A9hghNp3zLGxI7L-N1-ZNQSEt7SXGNHavQdQ9vOJwpV8b4A6JlKkl9Y91NLFCoSdnkHOcO2P8lv7MODwZwy3a2PJjdATs5_cCkq6PGHUt44PoQcFua9WjJNVflGnMneUMdxdki5OVP6sWTp=w398-h48-no"></center>Hey Y'all. Galileo here.<br /><br />This BACKSPINNER sat on Court Two, having queued for resale tickets, watched Sam Querrey and Jo-W Tsonga engage in a modern classic. Having had a picture taken with Kiki Mladenovic and another with Svetlana Kuznetsova, the day was almost complete. But while we sat there watching the aces flow, Andy Murray was having another shocker. Murray, the world number one and defending champion, was having the latest in a long line of dreadful results. It has not simply been one or two shaky results, it has been a flood, a glut of bad losses, shaky wins and dropped points. He has blown leads, choked in slams and sworn at his box. And on Friday it almost reached a denouement. <br /><br />Yes, Fabio Fognini is no easy player. He is totally insane. He stopped a point to challenge, but he didn't have any left. Oh and that was, by the way, a set point. Yep. So his Italian opponent is utterly unpredictable, unorthodox and can take on anyone anywhere. But he is a clay specialist. It is bordering on disgraceful that Andy Murray nearly got taken five. Rafael Nadal is looking at the sorry state the 'best player in the world is in' and thinking, I'm going to be world number one. It would take a certain set of events for Novak Djokovic to take his crown back, but it is possible. All Nadal has to do is go a round further than Murray and he will be back atop the world's summit. And he deserves it, he has earned it. He has been the best player in the world this year, with the exception of Federer, who has openly decided not to play many events.<span class="fullpost"><br /><br />It would be an amazing story if, years after the last time, Rafa ascended to the top once again. He was washed up, finished, broken and looked a spent force. Now he looks likely to take the top spot soon. Though there are no Olympic points to fall off his total (<em>since Rio didn't offer any</em>), it is likely a question of when, not if, Murray loses that top spot. And the way he has been playing since November, he should take a few months out to consider his future. He will be 31 soon. How much time does he have? Will he ever be a legitimate contender again? It does not look like it. He has been poor for so long, and in an extended slump. It is hard to get out of those. <br /><br />Now the British media will spin this as him having the heart of a champion, and the qualities of a world number one. They will say that he fought hard and is ready to defend his crown. It is nonsense. His opponent choked. Fognini blew it. Murray got extremely lucky. Of course, it wouldn't be courageous and brave to admit that, but it is what happened. If we did get another Nadal versus Federer final, nine years after the last, that would be something to treaure. Let us hope it happens. <br /><br />In the doubles, out on Court 18, Sam Groth and Robert Lindstedt edged the third seeds Bruno Soares and Jamie Murray 4-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5, 7-5. Despite a partisan crowd, the presence of Judy Murray and some superb volleys from the Scot, they couldn't find an answer to the Sam Groth serve or the Swede's grass-court prowess. Don't forget that he has been to three Wimbledon finals. <br /><br />Before we get started, this BACKSPINNER would just like to extend congratulations to Ash Barty and Casey Dellacqua. They survived an upset bid but defeated Chuang/Doi 3-6, 6-3, 10-8. Down 5-2, they saved a match point and rallied to win.<br /><br />In the ladies' singles the top ten seeds have mostly stayed intact, though Domi Cibulkova went out on Friday. She lost to Konjuh in three tight sets. <br /><br />Finally, on a really sad note, <a href="http://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/825633/Wimbledon-2017-Bethanie-Mattek-Sands">this happened.</a><br /><br />Just want to wish the American all the best in her recovery bid and hope that she is well. Her personality is one that makes the tour sparkle. Our thoughts are with her. I believe Todd has or will go into more depth. <br /><br />Right let's go...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">CENTRE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">NADAL D. KHACHANOV</span> <br />Nadal would not be denied. He ran away with the first two sets against the Russian, winning 6-1, 6-4 pretty quickly. As one spectator remarked to another, “we better get onto the hill, it'll be over soon.” But the Russian was warming to the challenge, and came at Nadal in the final set. He held break points at 3-4 and 5-6, too. He had big chances to sneak that set but couldn't quite get over the line. And when Nadal went 4-2 up in the breaker after an extraordinary rally, the match was all over. Two and a quarter hours, straight sets. The Russian is not fully developed and next time he plays Nadal he should win. Or at least take a set. But when Nadal breaks you four times and blasts 41 winners past you, you know it is unlikely to be your day. This has still been a fantastic tournament for the Russian; he met his seeding, the very first slam at which he received one and he challenged Rafael Nadal. But Nadal will now have to get ready to meet the exact kind of player he hates to play. Gilles Muller is a big-serving, huge-hitting guy with nothing to lose. He has a huge wingspan. He will give no quarter and take anything short to the woodshed. He is likely going to take a set and will almost certainly put the Spaniard in awkward positions and force him into tiebreaks. In 2005, when the Spaniard was also seeded fourth, Gilles Muller beat him in four sets at the All England Club. That was a totally different Nadal but the history is <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4124562.stm">there.</a><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">CENTRE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">MURRAY D. FOGNINI</span> <br />Well, Fabio Fognini has had a marvelous tournament. He was beaten in the first round of the doubles, yes, but in the singles he didn't drop a set. He met his seeding, played some lovely tennis and avoided causing a lot of controversy. Instead he left that to Bernie Tomic, who did a superb job. Again by acting like a total eejit. But in two hours and 39 minutes, Murray took a 4-3 lead in the head-to-head by winning 6-2, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5. The Italian has a habit of chucking in a set if he goes a break or two down early on. Murray's pedestrian 24-16 winner ratio is in contrast to the Italian's 44-46. What Fognini never gets credit for is being a brilliant tactician. He may appear insane, but he just knows how to play matches. It is why he can also be a brilliant doubles player. He was aggressive from the off, frequently going behind Murray, and using his slice to brilliant effect. And he made the world's best player look pretty foolish for a few sets. He may be a joker, but tennis needs more like him, more players who swear, who throw rackets and who can play infuriatingly good tennis. It gives us storylines, it makes the news and people will watch. Andy Murray moves on to play Benoit Paire. The Frenchman may be unseeded but has lost just one set so far. He is also set to rise nine places to 37 in the world. He is incredibly dangerous, with a huge serve, great touch and the world's best drop shot. Watch out. In top form Murray would breeze past him. But now? Who knows. <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">COURT ONE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">CILIC D. JOHNSON</span> <br />Marin Cilic knows he has a once in a career chance here. Andy Murray is reeling. Stan Wawrinka is gone. Rafa has had problems on this surface for years. He has not lost a set. He has been ruthlessly professional, dismissing Kohl, Mayer and now Stevie Johnson and making them look ordinary. Out of nowhere the Croat has turned it on. He now looks world class as he does every year at this time. When you go 39-13 on the winners ratio, and win 6-4, 7-6[3], 6-4 in a little over two hours, that's a good day. You get on court, do your job, get off and go home. Considering the competition that's coming up, having a quick match was a must. If Marin Cilic ends up playing Nadal next week, in the quarters, put everything down and turn that on. You will not regret it. Johnson stays in the top 30, he won a couple of matches and he can go back to the U.S. and be fairly happy with how he did.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">COURT ONE :</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">MULLER D. BEDENE</span> <br />The run of the 'Brit' finally comes to an end.It began with unseating Ivo Karlovic, but it has ended here, with the Luxembourgian triumphing 7-6[4], 7-5, 6-4. Muller won 40 per cent of return points and was able to break four times to get past the former Slovenian. In the first two sets it was tight, with Muller's serve and experience keeping him ahead. But the match slowly started to get away from the youngster. By the end, Muller was in total control, despite the exuberance of the home crowd. But Aljiaz can be happy with the fact he is about to rise 11 places in the rankings to 47th. Indeed, he has charmed the Wimbledon crowds this Championships and made a name for himself. But it seemed destined that Nadal would have to face his fellow lefty. When we looked at the draw we saw that potential clash and knew that it had to come to fruition. And now, with Muller rounding nicely into form, we have it. He will have to return well, and anywhere north of 32 per cent of points won is good. If he can get up to 40 he will be in with a superb shot of winning the match. What he has to do is mix up the serve. He has to deny Rafa rhythm. If he can stop Nadal from getting a read on his serve, from getting into his service games, and take the match into breakers and tight 5-all games, he will be successful. That's one to watch.<br /><br />The aces count leader is Muller with 72. Isner has 70. Anderson has 68. Cilic has 63. Bedene has 54 and Raonic just 47.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">COURT THREE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">BAUTISTA AGUT D. NISHIKORI</span> <br />Perhaps Nishikori just didn't want to face Marin Cilic. Or maybe he just isn't that good on grass. Or maybe Bautista Agut is too frustrating. The Spaniard won 6-4, 7-6[3], 3-6 ,6-3. It was three hours and twenty minutes worth of everyone knowing it would be an upset but it taking a long time to reach its obvious conclusion. Nishikori is always an early exiter at Wimbledon and this year was no different. Plenty of long rallies, plenty of winners [92], and a heap of drama. But can Agut cause what might be the biggest upset of the championships, possibly of the year, or will he be swept away in the Cilic tide?<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">OUTER COURT SELECTION :</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">PAIRE D. JANOWICZ</span><br />Some days Jerzy Janowicz just isn't at the races. Some days neither is Paire. On Day 5, Paire definitely turned up. His opponent, sadly, did not. It was a very easy 6-2, 7-6[3], 6-3 win that didn't even last two hours. The Frenchman drop-shotted his opponent into oblivion. The best thing about the match was the lively crowd atmosphere. Paire hit 60 winners, exactly three times as many as his opponent, and was absolutely on fire. The Pole was totally flat. He couldn't get going in the second set breaker and was visibly deflated in the third set. Paire just moves him around the court and hit every winner effortlessly. But can he find that level again, and keep it, against Murray?.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><br /><center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xcF66kBmXEaPHsFrV-rSOKS4bULET3tQSmXVmbPPUOniPGvMBR0qKsXoFfGo5KmShwaD3IWYhnm6qjYNbuifF6p637KHnBGnY-WR72Jhpsp2nxVxg6WV-gHn6fk1tDa9KqTNqMjtU1tHqO07ahsqOKiIMZ1jOwHotzWLdlAFSUXwgH6wjfV9dYeNw8rKp8V0fCZ3ze-HN5qc36Xp-XwbevcV1Eqf6887VMlGAymrC_kL-_U2Hh4KFVx28s_TTSgl0KtpDd4bDbKoEK2v1eq9jI_4imDUj57WdBIk32vXY6EoKcgRjjj-m2rD74F3Cih4w21KBSOBPBdy5ZZ92Zs3wWBLM_PfmqzoDjv-6ex5eRLAouDQ53g0-PayCeXPKd0Qi-_EgiykelohlJOr8E0yf3tHDfEuC-w3ZkA3dJMk01Ahc2G_t23f7kWlOaVaTxETKnSs-FCmALuNCMvJUQ2MCcTUCZWcfqcTVs23XHsk1n1x9ZU-eHQvpNHyFGuWblWXpJsltJDQEh7Uosr7EWOwjZejKTp2uIRpCB4wlZ1dpDU3839T9MpvgnQ0V872jDeJjtYngtuJ8YlYASG12-z99Xw5LwG1QDWyJnj7Ld_UuPNSeAPH0McQ=w400-h115-no"></center>Dasha Gavrilova entered the mixed, and she and partner Dimitry Tursunov have already lost. So there's that. Didn't this BACKSPINNER pick the wrong player this year? She is at least at a career high of 20, and the recently new Aussie #1.. <br /><br /><br />Thanks all and visit <a href="http://wtabackspin.blogspot.com">WTA BACKSPIN</a> please.</span>http://atpbackspin.blogspot.com/2017/07/wimbledon-day-5-we-better-get-onto-hill.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Todd.Spiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14702766.post-608299128134201406Fri, 07 Jul 2017 12:00:00 +00002017-07-07T12:19:17.087-04:00Wimbledon Day 4- Federer Recalls His Army of Flying Ants<center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Jt4H-2xxAWOdCRZH6CXiB7W3b3keXXmfO6NzkM4m5OyB7S7E7YM2JJnyf4rCL3FKSAHOvWxsrgVSd3mNLeQpV5ZXVcD3MmwZo-Z2vSqCMsqivx2fDjaQSpQBJ0FnXlWVNgisWnfgKID8Tpb-Xx5Rlu2O4n_ZM67WRuT_iOu5Cxk0aUAXkJbWVYdlBFJB3O5b5I_-Qp7t_ufJGJ4f7hL_nswEI4yNB0n2whvBBY0a3aEEt7nAmTVN2CuKPyXXZbThEpATgNrjdWl8ZVgPa8YRaOHUi0W03HS3M3P3yf9KpTG7CkvHqaJCOngKHRU1WWrB2xIUQf1ULLD7JqZbKXrDcbonniA4uh9LByGfVVNu7m3QgQAYCt05JLiTxiMibBArVVoi2B9AKCuyoSUDBQn-lNsbsMNbTgg_nigCWoiISpjkL1cjateePJclAyMSb4fvA78ZAgf36wuqEna0bM1N1wQkmI7Iyz91BXFa6A9hghNp3zLGxI7L-N1-ZNQSEt7SXGNHavQdQ9vOJwpV8b4A6JlKkl9Y91NLFCoSdnkHOcO2P8lv7MODwZwy3a2PJjdATs5_cCkq6PGHUt44PoQcFua9WjJNVflGnMneUMdxdki5OVP6sWTp=w398-h48-no"></center>Hey Y'all. Galileo here.<br /><br />First. This...<br /><br /><center><iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5g5acTORpPY?ecver=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />Watching it on television, in real time, was breathtaking. And the match point from that same match featured one of the best 'passing shots' of the Championships. This year the Centre Court lot are getting their money's worth. Seventeen of the women's 32 seeds are gone and it is only the start of round three. At first, this BACKSPINNER thought that Petra Kvitova and Roger Federer would take the singles. Now I am leaning toward a different player. Not wanting to jinx it, I would add only that she won a slam last year. <br /><br />In the men's, we have most of our favourites intact, Stan Wawrinka aside. On day four, Dominic Thiem, looking to make a name for himself on a different surface, got a good win against a tricky vet and Federer looked briefly mortal. There are always storylines here at SW19, across the doubles and singles.<span class="fullpost"><br /><br />In the doubles, there have been no major upsets on Thursday. The top seeds survived Fabio Fognini and Andreas Seppi in four. For second seeds Herbert and Mahut it was a tight four-setter, as well, over Donald Young and Santiago Gonzalez. Murray and Soares, seeded third, did not drop a set, while the Bryans also survived unscathed. <br /><br />Henri Kontinen, Marcelo Melo and Jamie Murray all have one thing in common; they could be world number one after the tournament. <br />Well, on day four, lots happened. Curious? Well read on...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">CENTRE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">MONFILS D. EDMUND</span> <br />Kyle Edmund is a very competent top 50 or even top 40 player. But he is out of his depth against the very best in our sport. Gael Monfils turned in a considered, efficient performance, where he edged out a dangerous opponent 7-6[1], 6-4, 6-4. Indeed, the Brit had a break in that last set but had his advantage blanked out by the Frenchman. Edmund's backhand does not match up. His forehand has real sting and his first serve is good, but the actual motion is patchy and his serve percentage can tend toward the erratic. He out-hit Gael by 36-33, but did hit 7 more errors. It was a match with a few long rallies, with the youngster able to test Monfils a bit. But the Frenchman didn't do too many ridiculous things. He broke four times to two and won 39 per cent of receiving points. He was very solid and even used his forehand magnificently. He now plays dangerous compatriot Adrian Mannarino. He will get the winner of Djokovic and Gulbis. So no easy matchup for him if he can beat the lefty.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">CENTRE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">FEDERER D. LAJOVIC</span> <br />Federer has a history of dropping sets to Eastern Europeans at Wimbledon. Who could forget Bozoljac?<br /><br /><center><iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7VnLx3G43iQ?ecver=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />And when Dusan Lajovic led the points total 7-0, it looked like an old man had taken the place of the GOAT. Indeed, he hung on and broke the Swiss to lead 2-0. But Fed slowly found his form over the course of the set. He began to find his forehand, much to the delight of the crowd, and soon after that it was all over. He won the breaker 7-0 and his opponent didn't do anything wrong. Once that first set was out of the way he cruised to the win, taking the next two 6-3, 6-2. 90 minutes. Four breaks, one conceded. And 31 winners is pretty good. It took Federer 15 minutes to find some form, but once he did it was curtains for the Serbian. The Swiss had won 81 per cent of both first and second serves. It's just a different level sometimes. The guy turns 36 in weeks. And now he has a 'challenge'. He faces Mischa Zverev, seeded 27th, before he must take on Grigor Dimitrov. It is the first time we will see Fed flex his muscles.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">COURT ONE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">DJOKOVIC D. PAVLASEK</span> <br />ovak Djokovic has found some of his old mojo. But even a shadow of what he is now, which is a shadow of his 2011 form, would hardly have been troubled by the handsome, but ineffectual, Czech. He won 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 but, at 93 minutes, took three minutes longer than his Swiss rival to get things done. He broke seven times, won 51 per cent of his return points and won 46 more points overall than his hapless opponent. It was the kind of match you see on offer and think no, no I won't watch that. There's no point. It is a problem that has plagued tennis, and other sports, for a long while. During the early stages of competition, some of the players are not up to the standards of the top guys. Djokovic is better on defense, on offense and just knows how to dismantle guys. From the start it was only ever going to go one way - Czech-mate. Next for Novak is Ernests Gulbis, who saw off Delpo. Then it is likely Gael Monfils. Then he might see Dominic Thiem or Tomas Berdych. If the old Djokovic is still hanging around it will be tight. But this one? He should cruise.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">COURT ONE :</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">THIEM D. SIMON</span> <br />Two years ago, the upset would have been on. But we are beginning to see age take its toll on some of our older stars. Gilles Simon for once did not have the legs as he lost 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 to Dominic Thiem. Johnny Mac commented that the Austrian was five per cent away from winning the French. He is totally correct. Simon did everything correctly, he even mixed it up and came to the net. Thiem's backhand and forehand combination is deadly. Simon did once have the defense to ward off that power, but no longer. The slicing variety of the Austrian was too much. In the first set it was reminiscent of when Dinara Safina struggled past Amelie Mauresmo at Wimbledon. The 8th seed had to find a way. In the second set he broke fairly early and slowly took control. Once he had the momentum he rolled through the next two sets. By the end, Gilles Simon looked a spent force. He was 22-23 on errors to winners while his opponent was 45-26. It felt like a baton had changed hands. Thiem has now navigated Vasek Pospisil and Gilles Simon for the loss of just a set. Now he faces Jared Donaldson. That will be a test for a different reason. It is going to have a youthful feel to it on Saturday when they play. Thiem has to use his experience of big matches and his heavy serve to see off the American. Donaldson is free to go for broke.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">COURT TWO:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">RAONIC D. YOUZHNY</span> <br />For a moment the upset was on. Milos Raonic looked there for the taking. Mikhail Youzhny played out of his skin good. But the Canuck broke the back of the match in the second set, as he won 3-6, 7-6[7], 6-4, 7-5. The Russian led 6-4 in the breaker. But he blew it and the match inevitably crumbled away. Considering he won the winners battle by 58 to 17, it is amazing that Raonic was on the brink here. But he survived to go on and face Albert Ramos-Vinolas. And if you think that might be an easy clash, well you've another thing coming. The Spaniard can irritate anybody on any surface. And after that he is likely to face Alex Zverev. Or maybe Jack Sock. So the road is not easy for last year's finalist.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">OUTER COURT SELECTION :</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">SELA D. ISNER</span> <br />We have little rules here on BACKSPIN, little things that happen frequently. Stan Wwrinka is brilliant at slams outside of Wimbledon and always does well at four Masters events a year, but never the same ones. Karolina Pliskova has the best weapons, the best mentality of any WTA rising star, but will always lose five bad matches a year. Don't go near CSN when picking anything, ever. Roger Federer is always a safe bet to watch on your TV. The U.S. Open and the French will have scheduling issues. The Australian Open is always run brilliantly, but we never talk about it. And John Isner must always lose in ridiculous fashion at the one slam he should be a perennial fourth-rounder at. Dudi Sela won 6-7[5], 7-6[5], 5-7, 7-6[5], 6-3. A handful of points here and there. At first you think, well, next year. But it is always a handful of points. It is frustrating. I no longer care or find it impressive that he hit 45 aces to five. Just win. You're the better player. You were up two sets to none. No excuses. And how do I feel about this?<br /><br /><center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6a0mSJal0Z9rQi5ovbTRzwSpuuYU3JZONEP4x-L9_8QRWm1XUMDIzZCvjKVGujByOvrhy01nf25CQBek-VL9YFE7O3DZp6_JOFleHZLSaUhC9XcrbZf7wAn7kx3g9rX8sbLiDDSqSV_3O2keWH1_f6qHMhWNDEL2fFXiZnlWbUk4nyY1Sz8SLDS7izqqLgCc7XXGD4wkiMcP1WimEoSVy3Ffz1zq2PvsT84YXhMkrHiDLmud-4MnE23FrSPcNHUa-Njil6AzeZKp9bdItxOIFhm0aZ0PM7XcN1Y9iHVi6bKF0gVJ9gNoGIc5OQufiSQLMzofOY8sNu9h5ETTrdczNlkEWeBymDJmQdVw0TtQ--0AmJXgINvLuSqg_YySBhzaVudad48vhu3vE6SK_qOxmXO3PEg14r18y6fBmXOHiAYA6YGWH2SKo9-UP4eFiC6qQnoZb6nnsM_s2VNYa4-yLRSOO5gZHAse8B7b_BrPdEmmkip6qgfOoLOCA8mCMHntZxXqlYaH_oEAb9xcvldMm0Pw4UHzBblYNWyMZ466Uhb8CW1weWWRyvVq1kFLsFgBpos7f1BT9_kPweU-ms505NR1SaxN8lATU_NfIVbFJFEo9WZUySU6kui8=w420-h315-no"></center><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><br /><br />Thanks all and visit <a href="http://wtabackspin.blogspot.com">WTA BACKSPIN</a> please.</span>http://atpbackspin.blogspot.com/2017/07/wimbledon-day-4-federer-recalls-his.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Todd.Spiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14702766.post-2326389378737629073Thu, 06 Jul 2017 03:39:00 +00002017-07-06T00:39:50.752-04:00Wimbledon Day 3- Nadal Fends Off the Youth of Today<center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Jt4H-2xxAWOdCRZH6CXiB7W3b3keXXmfO6NzkM4m5OyB7S7E7YM2JJnyf4rCL3FKSAHOvWxsrgVSd3mNLeQpV5ZXVcD3MmwZo-Z2vSqCMsqivx2fDjaQSpQBJ0FnXlWVNgisWnfgKID8Tpb-Xx5Rlu2O4n_ZM67WRuT_iOu5Cxk0aUAXkJbWVYdlBFJB3O5b5I_-Qp7t_ufJGJ4f7hL_nswEI4yNB0n2whvBBY0a3aEEt7nAmTVN2CuKPyXXZbThEpATgNrjdWl8ZVgPa8YRaOHUi0W03HS3M3P3yf9KpTG7CkvHqaJCOngKHRU1WWrB2xIUQf1ULLD7JqZbKXrDcbonniA4uh9LByGfVVNu7m3QgQAYCt05JLiTxiMibBArVVoi2B9AKCuyoSUDBQn-lNsbsMNbTgg_nigCWoiISpjkL1cjateePJclAyMSb4fvA78ZAgf36wuqEna0bM1N1wQkmI7Iyz91BXFa6A9hghNp3zLGxI7L-N1-ZNQSEt7SXGNHavQdQ9vOJwpV8b4A6JlKkl9Y91NLFCoSdnkHOcO2P8lv7MODwZwy3a2PJjdATs5_cCkq6PGHUt44PoQcFua9WjJNVflGnMneUMdxdki5OVP6sWTp=w398-h48-no"></center>Hey Y'all. Galileo here,<br /><br />Every year this BACKSPINNER makes the trip to Wimbledon on the first Friday, as his annual pilgrimage to the holy land. It is set in stone. But this year, American friends wanted a trip to SW19. And that has thrown this side of BACKSPIN into chaos. So, with a report on being at Wimbledon to come, and with another trip to the grass on the 7th, this BACKSPINNER finally gets to pen his first words on the day's proceedings. <br /><br />Wimbledon is the best organized, most traditional, up-to-date, tourist-friendly, player-friendly tournament there is anywhere in the world. It has honed itself into the perfect entity over the course of 13 decades or so. It is so organized it manages every year to have a little holiday. It built a roof before it was cool. It has the best tennis app seen yet. It is run to perfection, from the queue, to the courts, to the security. And for many British people, it is a sacred time. We here on BACKSPIN recognize and appreciate that. It transcends tennis, this tournament. There is a special story behind every champion, every winner. Only the very greatest of our sport seem to triumph here. The unworthy almost always fall by the wayside. Think back - can you remember the last time a Wimbleon champion had a career high below three? Or at least a long history with the event?<span class="fullpost"><br /><br />Wimbledon is the graveyard of champions, it is upsets and five-setters. It is the last bastion of epic doubles matches and it is where, this year, Jelena Ostapenko has played into the darkening motes of dusk, and survived two upset attempts, but refused to go down. She has ground her way into the third round with a blunt refusal to go down. This BACKSPINNER saw her on Monday, in the fading light, cling onto life. It is impressive, it is noteworthy. She is backing up her extraordinary run in Paris. <br /><br />The bizarre also happens at Wimbledon. Like <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/wimbledon/wimbledon-2017-daniil-medvedev-coin-throwing-throws-umpire-second-round-stan-wawrinka-a7825721.html">this.</a><br /><br /><center><iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/drbx4ovM4mw?ecver=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />Well, today, on Day Three, we have plenty of tennis to bring you. Now lets dive in.<br /> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">CENTRE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">MURRAY D. BROWN</span> <br />Many a player has gone into a daze under the heavy weight of occasion that Centre Court brings. Not Dustin Brown. Very little ever fazes him. He did, in fact, bring his entire bag of tricks to entertain the feisty home crowd. From drop-shot smashes to half-volleys, to lobs and back again, there was no shot he wouldn't hit. With the German it is not about the stats - though he did manage a 30-28 winners ratio - it is about getting applause. He played good tennis throughout the match, but Andy Murray was at a different level. For the first time he looked like a world number one. He hit just five errors as he saw out his opponent 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. It was a consummate performance from the Scot, who played a controlled game. He knew that Brown would not be able to play with the same level all match, so he sat back and let the German lose. He played some great lobs, and his passing game was superb. Murray appears to be back now. Next up is 28th seeded Fognini. The Italian has not dropped a set. After that his likely opponent is Jerzy Janowicz. He plays Benoit Paire in what promises to be the match of the tournament.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">CENTRE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">NADAL D. YOUNG</span> <br />The Spaniard cruised for 90 minutes, and led the young American 6-4, 6-2. But there lay a chance. If Young, who had been playing well up to that point, could hang on, the roof might have to be put over Centre Court. If he could just extend the match...well, then there might be a shot. When Nadal served for it at 5-4, he played the return game of the year. One rally he hit four perfect backhand slices in a row before running round and smacking a 100 mile an hour forehand winner up the line. In fact, he looked like the prodigy he had been ten years ago. But Rafa has an ominous air about him at these Championships. And he broke right back and sealed the match 7-5 in the third, though it took him over two hours. Five breaks to one and 38 winners to 31 disguise how well Young actually played during the match. The key for Rafa was winning 43 per cent of receiving points. Young served brilliantly, even throwing in a few serve-volley plays, but he met with a Spanish wall of defiance. Rafa is through to face Karen Khachanov. The Russian edged Thiago Monteiro in four epic sets and also went five in his first round. But he could trouble Rafa for a set or two. He will be ready for the big time next year, but for now just achieving his seeding is an enormous feat.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">COURT ONE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">NISHIKORI D. STAKHOVSKY</span> <br />Sergiy Stakhovsky double faulted on his final serve. After coming back from 3-6 in the tiebreaker his error was enough to let the Asian number one in to win the match. Yes, Kei won in three and a quarter hours 6-4, 6-7[7], 6-1, 7-6[6]. He superbly avoided the upset, as he took away the net from his opponent. The Ukrainian won only 54 per cent of his approaches. Breaking fives times to two, he took advantage of 37 errors off his opponent's racket to grind out a win. He faces Roberto Bautista Agut next. Both he and Nishikori have moved through this draw almost silently. The winner of that will almost certainly get a red hot Marin Cilic. Nishikori could beat the Croat. It is unlikely, but this is the tournament where Bastl beat Sampras. To do that, however, Nishikori will have to dispatch of the Spaniard quickly. He does lead the head-to-head 4-0.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">COURT TWO :</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">TSONGA D. BOLELLI</span> <br />It is just another win for the French vet. It wasn't even two hours on court, as he he won 6-1, 7-5, 6-2. He hit 17 more winners than his opponent and broke five times to none. It was a dominant performance from a resurgent Tsonga. He even won 48 per cent of return points while serving at 65 per cent. That's really good, though it is against a clay-courter way past his prime. He faces Querrey and the winner almost certainly gets Kevin Anderson. And then it is Andy Murray. A third Wimbledon semi could await Tsonga. We might have to start calling him Tiger Tsonga soon. The draw has broken well for him. That combined with his improved form is a potent mix for the rest of the players in his half. But Sam Querrey is a dangerous prospect. It will be an ace fest in that match.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">COURT TWO:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">CILIC D. MAYER</span> <br />The German served for the first set and led 5-2 in the third, and also led in the second. But the Croat won 7-6[2], 6-4, 7-5. Go figure. Cilic marches on, while his opponent chokes. 26th seeded Steve Johnson is a classic banana skin. Will Marin slip up or make it four quarter-finals in a row? His two and a quarter hour win today inspired little confidence in him.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">OUTER COURT SELECTION :</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">MULLER D. ROSOL</span> <br />This sums it up, frosty handshake and all...<br /><br /><center><iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FSBvy7Uyhr0?ecver=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />Reminiscient of another Wimbledon handshake?<br /><br /><center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7Q1Dnnipn1rzq63XrVbDzdxfT-bsooOSHToKK01v-M_5fJyTTSONGfhkH8gZQdwf-W_sMsPxflX3PAm_BRAM5t7hFCPj39FulaZCXTM0SMcflh14KcS9D5mmUrzUQBdefXsNmCjOtwCupZ1YraieaM9EwsaP64g1vxtR2kb1dNhy7BI228lXqgA2vqvP7HwSF4jKt8f6WYLwL3L2GJ-yfpVl7aRodWOKe6YlNArmCgpAQ6VXTYbA8Q-zbv8FYxD2B6DOLSMutyAwwpOGGyfimk_gToGHOk7NI7QfkEh6VYHmmJbxR9MHyEMTJbnDGKf2DKtnGXW46SRzDhEkXgb77MXq13YPLc_MV0a1czxNXpTO41gRD7w0hVZ0WvsMZ1DCte1Jg9PSBDNgQeDn4_lq839cSFX6YPoviQyeFcInT5ElUkArvdNA0-AhhVuK59xOLiaxoVIIvve76Rh4GhMLlba8h8tegy02ZbrrPxBp4tKS2i2nsCxwS9WQpIMqf9Xcj1NJuX2ZhXv-jWjM2UQKsfnJgB8pI4r7ETwH5IAARpeJLzvO46MHtD9UhoU7tlMomCF92tYO4obEhZHMspXnYI0T-wOe8VD2YOWwdkPEvPTI_sMTkwyS=w420-h236-no"></center><br />Anyway, after match points, long rallies and a comeback, Gilles Muller is off the brink and back with the living. He edged past the Czech 7-5, 6-7[7], 4-6, 6-3, 9-7 in three hours and 40 minutes. This match seemed to go on for an age. 169 winners. Muller won 87 per cent of his first serve points, his opponent 78 per cent. But both men could only manage 48 per cent on their second delivery. Perhaps the crucial stat was that Muller won five per cent more of points on the return. In tight matches it can be five per cent here or there that swings a match. On the deciding break point both players were very tentative. And eventually the Czech fluffed one and the game was up. Rosol fails to add to his famous Wimbledon upset list, but Muller continues to make the seeding decision look excellent.<br /><br />It was slated to be Dr. Ivo meeting Muller but he will face the not-very-British-but-still-sort-of-British Aljaz Bedene in the third round. He edged Karlovic, and yes this BACKSPINNER saw that one on Court Three, and then today beat good pal Damir Dzumhur. In fact, they are such good pals he lent his friend some tennis whites. Anyway, the Luxembourgian should win that nice and easily, before facing off against Rafael Nadal. Big things are coming for the big man.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><br /><br />P.S- Dasha Gavrilova is out of the ladies singles. She lost 6-4, 2-6, 10-8 to Petra Martic of Croatia. She was slightly injured but she played her heart out. No more could be asked of her. And she is in no more events. So, sadly, there is no more Dasha, unless she enters the mixed. <br /><br />Thanks all and visit <a href="http://wtabackspin.blogspot.com">WTA BACKSPIN</a> please.</span>http://atpbackspin.blogspot.com/2017/07/wimbledon-day-3-nadal-fends-off-youth.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Todd.Spiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14702766.post-7990137654945132931Tue, 27 Jun 2017 04:49:00 +00002017-07-04T02:36:05.379-04:00Wk.25- Kings, Queens and Knaves<center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Jt4H-2xxAWOdCRZH6CXiB7W3b3keXXmfO6NzkM4m5OyB7S7E7YM2JJnyf4rCL3FKSAHOvWxsrgVSd3mNLeQpV5ZXVcD3MmwZo-Z2vSqCMsqivx2fDjaQSpQBJ0FnXlWVNgisWnfgKID8Tpb-Xx5Rlu2O4n_ZM67WRuT_iOu5Cxk0aUAXkJbWVYdlBFJB3O5b5I_-Qp7t_ufJGJ4f7hL_nswEI4yNB0n2whvBBY0a3aEEt7nAmTVN2CuKPyXXZbThEpATgNrjdWl8ZVgPa8YRaOHUi0W03HS3M3P3yf9KpTG7CkvHqaJCOngKHRU1WWrB2xIUQf1ULLD7JqZbKXrDcbonniA4uh9LByGfVVNu7m3QgQAYCt05JLiTxiMibBArVVoi2B9AKCuyoSUDBQn-lNsbsMNbTgg_nigCWoiISpjkL1cjateePJclAyMSb4fvA78ZAgf36wuqEna0bM1N1wQkmI7Iyz91BXFa6A9hghNp3zLGxI7L-N1-ZNQSEt7SXGNHavQdQ9vOJwpV8b4A6JlKkl9Y91NLFCoSdnkHOcO2P8lv7MODwZwy3a2PJjdATs5_cCkq6PGHUt44PoQcFua9WjJNVflGnMneUMdxdki5OVP6sWTp=w398-h48-no"></center>Hey, all. Galileo here.<br /><br />The wanderer has returned from a holiday period for this BACKSPINNER. Yes, we do have them. And in this catch-update we'll go back. So far the winners have been Feliciano Lopez and Ash Barty. If the Aussie does not win most improved or some similar award it will be quite a shock. <br /><br />Now, let's recap the early grass season in brief. French Open champion Rafael Nadal did not play an event, not even at Queens Club. He saved himself for a big push at Wimbledon, a tournament at which he has done dreadfully of late. Federer was upset by Haas in three, while Dimitrov lost to Jerzy Janowicz in his first round match. The Swiss star even blew a match point. <span class="fullpost"><br /><br />Lucas Pouille won his first grass court title. He saved a match point in his first match and then hit 29 aces in the final to take home the title. He edged Feli Lopez 4-6, 7-6[5], 6-4. The Spaniard beat three seeds during his run, including 3rd seeded Tomas Berdych. <br /><br />In 1976, Ken Rosewall [42] and Illie Nastase [30] played the final of Hong Kong. The score in that final was 1-6, 6-4, 7-6, 6-0. That is the last time we had an older final than we did in Rosmalen, the Netherlands. In this one the combatants were 38 and 34. These two have met three times and it has always been on grass. Every set has ended in a tie-breaker. It did not change in the final, with the Luxembourgian winning 7-6[5], 7-6[4]. There were 76 service winners which accounted for 53 per cent of the points. So the crowd really got their money’s worth. <br />Other winners included Marcelo Melo and Lukasz Kubot. They were top seeded at two events, one in Rosmalen and one in Halle, and won them both. <br /><br />And now for Kings, Queens and Knaves...<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">*WEEK 25 CHAMPIONS*</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#B22222;">HALLE, GERMANY (Grass)</span><br /><em>S: <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#48D1CC;">Roger Federer def. Alexander Zverev 6-1/6-3</span><br />D: <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#48D1CC;">Kubot/Melo d. Zverev/Zverev</span></em><br /><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#B22222;">LONDON, ENGLAND (Grass)</span><br /><em>S: <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#48D1CC;">Feliciano Lopez def. Marin Cilic 7-5/3-6/6-2</span><br />D: <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#48D1CC;">J.Murray/Soares d. Benneteau/Roger-Vasselin</span></em><br /><br /><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kYNwWuc0vY-X4e30Jr67ObQYAcqXm20A8bHdY9O4QFJY4O9aRrENilWaW0o6-essNTumnpMguMq2vORSCTXh97sq6pX1flvQtDcEzjwNsx2qaOidIM6ZBE5gXnMxVI0nIlzDK8h3zlytIyEQnk8lM6Ors4ap_4NkLl5bU780lvuxOwLD-F0Q_23HoB8bmqDwITXxEVxZt6G6l6zbe2Sw8Heo-lwLV3FOdtr-kZueJx4UMjcsBjAMKFUEp4GB44ApBLf22ZfbMZDx3XNhOvarPxjX8Rw14vqxRt4liMH9oKViIPS8mT6g4B3tT-owTybue0ZMzAb2fdoccLC5C0tpI8iRvo49aFaBpEFcq4ozyWQKyOvpzv-GOIYeEj_YOGZ6hY9H77c9_3jQHBlLFuxW0g2F6wwc_IV5vmMVUBBz3R50QoXpv58pZM8FU5fSkBJG7dcdeBIOjQUIgLtARsRjv4_ktzkJNpnw4-mw9Ye0cXUjxmcOq2RIJ0K03d660GzNIY4MYmY2bDcWBzLkE2saJuz4fyX63Bb620pMngN6rZpdSn5W9KZL21ktK55PkZFdZP3tEYbY4ckDbR0f4alb9H3Ztd4QjwsdGYgEEcSUNMTAYhFI36rt=w316-h52-no"> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">PLAYER OF THE WEEK:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">FELICIANO LOPEZ, ESP</span><br />...Spaniard Feliciano Lopez is a player nobody can dislike. You may not be a fan of Rog because he is too mainstream and can come off as arrogant. Perhaps Murray's temper, Nadal's fastidiousness and Djokovic's rip my shirt off celebration bother you. Gael Monfils can be too flippant, Gilles Simon too dull. Why doesn't Ivo Karlovic mix it up more? You can't really dislike somebody as gentlemanly, as pleasant as 'Deliciano'. And his game style is perfect. It is quintessentially tennis. He plays spectator-friendly tennis. It is very hard to do this. It is harder yet to do so and to win consistently. But Lopez's great skill is in making his opponents look flashier just by being near him. He is the very definition of mercurial, but his tennis is endearing to the crowd and that is a quality to be respected. In this era of smaller crowd sizes, attendance problems and a lack of flashy shotmakers he stands out as a unique substance. Just like, in the words of Lorelai Gilmore, Velveeta is a substance unto its own. He opened the week against Stan Wawrinka, but on his favourite surface the upset is always on. On the same day that Andy Murray capitulated, he knocked out the second-seeded Swiss 7-6[4], 7-5. Qualifier Jeremy Chardy, who beat Jordan Thompson in qualies, was next, but he handled the Frenchman in a 6-1, 7-6[4] victory. Next was Tomas Berdych. He had beat Berdie in two hours and nine minutes in Stuttgart. In London it was even harder - the Spaniard had to save a match point but won 7-6 (5), 6-7 (1), 7-5. He was serving 4-5 when Berdych was a point away, but he still managed to improve to 8-6 all time against the Czech. He is 4-0 against him on grass. Two came at Queens and two at Stuttgart. In the semi-finals, he beat out a resurgent Grigor Dimitrov 7-5, 3-6, 6-2. In the final he faced off against Cilic. Having lost the last five against the Croat, including two at Queens, he knew he would have to defy the head-to-head. There were just four break points and 41 aces in the match. In 19 return games Cilic won just 27 points. Lopez won 19. It was, as expected, a server's match. Cilic won eight more points and was as close as you can get to winning without actually doing so. It means he still has never won Queens, despite three final appearances. It also means that Lopez has now won his third grass court title from five finals. He won Eastbourne from 2013-14. He will be seeded at Wimbledon and he may well be able to add to his three quarterfinals there. He got that far in 2005, 2008, 2011 and lost in the fourth round in 2014.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">RISER:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">ROGER FEDERER, SUI</span> <br />...Federer is going to hit two very important milestones this year. In fact, it will almost certainly be three. With Nadal you need only check the milestones during the clay swing. With the Goat you constantly need to check the all-time lists. He breaks records every week. He is at such a level of greatness that his standings change weekly. He has 92 titles, two less than Ivan Lendl. Connors has 109. He has 140 finals, just below Lendl's 146. That is still an absurd amount. His 187 semi-final appearances are three off Lendl and 50 off Connors. He will overtake Lendl in two categories this year. He is second in matches played and won, behind only Connors in both. The first is by over 170. The next is 150. He has 70 outdoor titles and Nadal 71. He has won 157 grass court matches. Connors has won 170. Fedex has the best win percentage on grass, too. Here's a finals and titles stat box. <br /><br />*MOST FINALS AT TOURNAMENT*<br /><style type="text/css">.tg {border-collapse:collapse;border-spacing:0;} .tg td{font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;padding:10px 5px;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;overflow:hidden;word-break:normal;} .tg th{font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;padding:10px 5px;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;overflow:hidden;word-break:normal;} .tg .tg-yw4l{vertical-align:top} </style><br /><table class="tg"><tr> <th class="tg-031e">10</th> <th class="tg-031e">11</th> <th class="tg-031e">12</th> </tr><tr> <td class="tg-031e">French Open<br />R. Nadal<br />05-08, 10-14, 17</td> <td class="tg-031e">Halle<br />R. Federer<br />03-06, 08,10,12-15, 17</td> <td class="tg-031e">Basel<br />R. Federer<br />00-01, 06-15</td> </tr><tr> <td class="tg-031e">Barcelona <br />R. Nadal <br />05-09, 11-13, 16-17</td> <td class="tg-031e">Monte Carlo <br />R. Nadal<br />05-13, 16-17 </td> <td class="tg-031e"></td> </tr><tr> <td class="tg-031e">ATP Finals<br />R. Federer<br />03-07, 10-12,14-15</td> <td class="tg-031e"></td> <td class="tg-031e"></td> </tr><tr> <td class="tg-yw4l">Wimbledon<br />R. Federer<br />03-09, 12, 14-15 </td> <td class="tg-yw4l"></td> <td class="tg-yw4l"></td> </tr><tr> <td class="tg-yw4l">Buenos Aires<br />G. Vilas <br />72-76, 77 [x2], 79, 81-82</td> <td class="tg-yw4l"></td> <td class="tg-yw4l"></td> </tr></table><br />*MOST TITLES AT TOURNAMENT*<br /><style type="text/css">.tg {border-collapse:collapse;border-spacing:0;} .tg td{font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;padding:10px 5px;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;overflow:hidden;word-break:normal;} .tg th{font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;padding:10px 5px;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;overflow:hidden;word-break:normal;} .tg .tg-yw4l{vertical-align:top} </style><br /><table class="tg"><tr> <th class="tg-031e">10</th> <th class="tg-031e">9</th> <th class="tg-031e">8</th> </tr><tr> <td class="tg-031e">French Open<br />R. Nadal<br />05-08, 10-14, 17</td> <td class="tg-031e">Halle <br />R. Federer<br />03-06, 08, 13-15, 17</td> <td class="tg-031e">Buenos Aires<br />G. Vilas<br />73-76, 77 [x2], 79, 82</td> </tr><tr> <td class="tg-031e">Barcelona<br />R. Nadal<br />05-09, 11-13, 16-17</td> <td class="tg-031e"></td> <td class="tg-031e"></td> </tr><tr> <td class="tg-031e">Monte Carlo<br />R. Nadal <br />05-12, 16-17</td> <td class="tg-031e"></td> <td class="tg-031e"></td> </tr></table><br /><br /><br />Here we see three things. First, just how much playing in your home country, in your home city, can make things easier. For most players. But also look at Nadal's best tournaments. See a similarity? All on European clay. Federer has won on three different surfaces and all around the world. He has won indoors, outdoors and on carpet [the third surface], too. This is why the argument that Nadal is the greatest doesn't hold sway. Fedex has won six titles at least six times. Rafa has only four. It is why Novak Djokovic is nowhere near them. He has not their longevity or their ability to win. Federer is 4-0 in finals this year. He won his 3rd Miami title, 5th Indian Wells trophy, 5th Australian Open win and now he has his 9th Halle victory. At this point the players he faces aren't even important. He dropped two sets in Miami, none in California, and none in Germany. He rolled past the Zverev brothers, defending champion Florian Mayer and Karen Khachanov for good measure. In the final he beat Sasha 6-1, 6-3. If he is not the Wimbledon favourite then my name is Marcus Smart.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">FRESH FACE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">KAREN KHACHENOV, RUS</span> <br />...A man of many surfaces is a man of more successes than the specialist. We have seen the Russian have successes on three different surfaces this year. We didn't see it from Andy Roddick at all, nor from Nikolay Davydenko. The list is endless. Khachanov is different from other junior champions. The raw potential is greater. He has transitioned smoothly from the kiddie leagues to the biggie leagues. At the start of 2016 he was ranked 152, sixth in Russia. He was 53rd in January of this year. Now he is 34th with all of Russia, all 17.1 million sq. km of it, at his feet. Great news for the Russians is that he is 21 and so is their number two guy Daniil Medvedev. Andrey Kuznetsov is 26 and their number three. Their 5th is 19-year old Andrey Rublev. Basically, over the next ten years Russia is going to be taking over everywhere. Despite having his best result ever at the first two slams, he lost in five first rounds in a row from Melbourne to Indian Wells. He really kicked off last year, when he won in Chengdu in October. He got married the next month. In Halle he had his best ever grass result. And that is worthy of applause. He beat Simon in three, benefited from a Nishikori retirement, and, in a nice twist, beat Rublev 7-6[8], 4-6, 6-3. Losing to Federer in straights in the semi is no big deal. The club of all the people who have lost to Roger in straight sets on grass is so large it even includes Todd, myself, Kim Clijsters and Barbara Boxer.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">VETERAN:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">RICHARD GASQUET, FRA</span> <br />...At this point any semi-final is a result for the Frenchie. Broken down by injury and time, struggling to find form and way down in the rankings, Ritchie is likely hanging round to see if he can have one last run at some point. If he can keep a seed and the draw falls for him at Wimbledon or the U.S. Open he may well sneak through to the final four again. His 22 fourth rounds across four slams is at the level of several multiple slam winners. On his best surface again, he proved that he is still a force to be reckoned with. He edged Gael Monfils, who hates this surface, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. Then he knocked out Tomic 6-3, 6-3. He was too strong for Haase , winning 6-1, 4-6, 6-1. He even troubled Alex Zverev for a couple of sets, but eventually crumbled to a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 loss.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">SURPRISE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">GILLES MULLER, LUX</span> <br />...Is it really even a surprise anymore? On grass we should expect Luxembourg’s best to produce good results. Since his breakthrough in 2008 in New York he has since developed a very steady top 40 career. And on grass his skills are at their peak. He and Ivo Karlovic have both hit 446 aces, though Muller has played 12 more matches. Isner leads by 30, and is in first place predictably. He lost the tiebreaker of the week but still won 6-4, 6-7[17], 6-4 against Basilashvili in the first round. Up against 5th seed Jo-W Tsonga he played a brilliant match and was very aware that Tsonga was off-kilter. He hung out, played clever tennis and let the Frenchman fall by himself. Muller served a brilliant match with Tsonga never in any of his service games. It felt from the beginning that the upset may well be on.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">DOWN:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">STAN WAWRINKA, SUI</span> <br />...It should be Murray. But Wawrinka just made the final of the French Open. He has momentum. He is one slam away from that which Andy Murray, Marin Cilic and Del Potro can only dream of. He should be winning a match or two before Wimbledon. He needs the practice, needs the warm-up. He lost to Lopez and was fairly lackluster about it. He has been to the quarters of Wimbledon just once. Regardless of the opponent he should be showing more. Of course, it could all be a ruse but it just feels like he should be trying harder to win the one missing from the set, no? <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">UPSET:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">JORDAN THOMPSON, AUS</span> <br />...It is fine for Andy Murray to lose on clay. It is fine for him to drop a set on here. It is a new low, in a long string of lows, to lose on your best surface, at your best tournament, at which you have won four times and are the defending champion, to a lucky loser. How can you lose to a guy who already lost? Muzza is the worst world number one the ATP has ever had. It is not even close. He has been utterly abysmal. He has mined the darkest depths of awful. He has lost to rubbish journeyman after rubbish journeyman. He has sucked on different continents, on three different surfaces, against many, many opponents. He is a total liability. Right now Dinara Safina doesn't feel so bad. Right now Svetlana Kuznetsova is saying thank goodness I'm not that inconsistent. Right now Marcelo Rios is saying, well, I was better than him. If Murray doesn't win Wimbledon he'll get chewed out again by BACKSPIN. As top seed, defending champion and world number one, he has no excuse not to win with utter ease.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><br /><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/34QjnRpjebe9q1RijHOlzmYyswImMd5xbWDezgozGrWKSZuyaou5Y1E25CJ9K1ezH2B1fxfahZTBo_vHapfipKdEXnS44w0CYqKHH9LQQT8jcByiAxCtJIDjWvu56clIWYZHJMrrEQaAXLDydZuVe-3ECuCBjZVDRdyp7Dof7ZLenVg-3P5rCf7HW98ME5StRqKGSjDFwppriDwZq-DWR4PkBHRunEzWbdDG0f7lSSLNe8mWTRtaaChiHj2M-0JKzRFSwc6YuxMHPyeqyHhSF-BI5jWiy__tM_pwVLw9C1I5L7kSBsuFYZa3T6cDvg0p34QdaHXvM3Se-dqIUAYZE4cfbqgIOEvYMt-B-SS5sK9ZMLieZOFwyyEZ1MhPZyfg7vFUeR9mZU5xXFa6wQRVHM-g1piyeos2MbmpfqOdGOiumppNacONT84xIImyXXf4cvyOTcxhYCHg6WQnQXor0wsk-RkqB72ioj3U1AH7ZEjzr6ONOHCar6wWudG4xQxc-AQXdEO--cnyjdOiw9mg7cXJMTjVyDLXaKnRLOWjMMKwWX6jBV-iUs_CnkjqwXtkxyJJYmGv0efDIKoVRefnsGjF6l5PlT60UMZj-jByk8LY-zI4eZpc=w264-h34-no"> <br />1. <span style="font-weight; color:#B22222;">Queens F – Lopez d. Cilic 4-6, 7-6[2], 7-6[8] </span><br />...The two most frustrating players on the tour, though for different reasons, put on a show. Match points, aces, come from behind wins and a baying crowd. This was the match with it all. For the Spaniard to come back against a former champion was remarkable. It is a match that will give both confidence going into the slam that is their best. Yes, Cilic's best slam is in London. He has the worst luck there.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">===============================================</span> <br />2. <span style="font-weight; color:#B22222;">Halle SF – Zverev d. Gasquet 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 </span><br />...We love a clash of styles here at BACKSPIN. And this is one of the best. The wily vet with one of the best backhands on tour against the man with the best. Despite taking the second set he could not dispel the young German and eventually succumbed. But the backhand-to-backhand and length of the rallies were fantastic. The grass-court season should be longer. It really gives out the best storylines.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">===============================================</span> <br /><br /><center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xcF66kBmXEaPHsFrV-rSOKS4bULET3tQSmXVmbPPUOniPGvMBR0qKsXoFfGo5KmShwaD3IWYhnm6qjYNbuifF6p637KHnBGnY-WR72Jhpsp2nxVxg6WV-gHn6fk1tDa9KqTNqMjtU1tHqO07ahsqOKiIMZ1jOwHotzWLdlAFSUXwgH6wjfV9dYeNw8rKp8V0fCZ3ze-HN5qc36Xp-XwbevcV1Eqf6887VMlGAymrC_kL-_U2Hh4KFVx28s_TTSgl0KtpDd4bDbKoEK2v1eq9jI_4imDUj57WdBIk32vXY6EoKcgRjjj-m2rD74F3Cih4w21KBSOBPBdy5ZZ92Zs3wWBLM_PfmqzoDjv-6ex5eRLAouDQ53g0-PayCeXPKd0Qi-_EgiykelohlJOr8E0yf3tHDfEuC-w3ZkA3dJMk01Ahc2G_t23f7kWlOaVaTxETKnSs-FCmALuNCMvJUQ2MCcTUCZWcfqcTVs23XHsk1n1x9ZU-eHQvpNHyFGuWblWXpJsltJDQEh7Uosr7EWOwjZejKTp2uIRpCB4wlZ1dpDU3839T9MpvgnQ0V872jDeJjtYngtuJ8YlYASG12-z99Xw5LwG1QDWyJnj7Ld_UuPNSeAPH0McQ=w400-h115-no"></center>So far it has been a mixed bag for Dasha during the grass court swing. In Birmingham, she made the quarterfinals of the ladies singles. She lost to Lucie Safarova 6-7[4], 6-3, 7-6[5]. She had three match points and led in the final breaker 5-3. She has to put that away. Always. The best players are expert at both putting away and not being put away. In the women's doubles, she and Katerina Siniakova lost 7-5, 6-1 to Barty/Dellacqua. That is no bad result; the Aussie team is a top five pair right now. <br /><br />In Eastbourne, the Aussie lost 6-2, 2-6, 3-6 to Lara Arruabarrena, a Spanish qualifier who is at her best on clay. It is another poor loss for the Australian. She is 20th seed at SW19, however.<br /><br /><em>Let me leave you with this: the defending ladies champion at Queens is Chrissie Evert. The ladies doubles champions were Rosie Casals and Billie Jean King. They won it from 1971-1973. It has never been played any other year.</em><br /><br />Thanks all and visit <a href="http://wtabackspin.blogspot.com">WTA BACKSPIN</a> please.</span><br />http://atpbackspin.blogspot.com/2017/06/wk25-kings-queens-and-knaves.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Todd.Spiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14702766.post-1656189493829166305Fri, 09 Jun 2017 21:27:00 +00002017-07-04T01:39:47.611-04:00French Open QF Recap<center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Jt4H-2xxAWOdCRZH6CXiB7W3b3keXXmfO6NzkM4m5OyB7S7E7YM2JJnyf4rCL3FKSAHOvWxsrgVSd3mNLeQpV5ZXVcD3MmwZo-Z2vSqCMsqivx2fDjaQSpQBJ0FnXlWVNgisWnfgKID8Tpb-Xx5Rlu2O4n_ZM67WRuT_iOu5Cxk0aUAXkJbWVYdlBFJB3O5b5I_-Qp7t_ufJGJ4f7hL_nswEI4yNB0n2whvBBY0a3aEEt7nAmTVN2CuKPyXXZbThEpATgNrjdWl8ZVgPa8YRaOHUi0W03HS3M3P3yf9KpTG7CkvHqaJCOngKHRU1WWrB2xIUQf1ULLD7JqZbKXrDcbonniA4uh9LByGfVVNu7m3QgQAYCt05JLiTxiMibBArVVoi2B9AKCuyoSUDBQn-lNsbsMNbTgg_nigCWoiISpjkL1cjateePJclAyMSb4fvA78ZAgf36wuqEna0bM1N1wQkmI7Iyz91BXFa6A9hghNp3zLGxI7L-N1-ZNQSEt7SXGNHavQdQ9vOJwpV8b4A6JlKkl9Y91NLFCoSdnkHOcO2P8lv7MODwZwy3a2PJjdATs5_cCkq6PGHUt44PoQcFua9WjJNVflGnMneUMdxdki5OVP6sWTp=w398-h48-no"></center>Hey Y'all. Galileo here.<br /><br />Now let's take a peek back at the men's quarterfinals...<span class="fullpost"><br /><br /><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f77/backspinner/logogenerator5Cupl5C18419103160_764743.jpg"> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">CHATRIER:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">NADAL D. CARRENO BUSTA</span> <br />...There's not much to say, really. Pablo Carreno Busta came in with an abdominal issue. And when he was down 2-6, 0-2 this happened:<br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pablo Carreno Busta abandonne. <a href="https://twitter.com/RafaelNadal">@RafaelNadal</a> en demi-finale.<br /><br />Carreno Busta forced to retire from his QF match vs. Nadal due to injury. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RG17?src=hash">#RG17</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ot3CekdQEO">pic.twitter.com/Ot3CekdQEO</a></p>&mdash; Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) <a href="https://twitter.com/rolandgarros/status/872396608507437056">June 7, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /><br />The Spaniard has had a glorious run, but an injury is a sure-fire way to end it. The consolation is that Nadal would have likely won anyway. He rises in the rankings and a top 16 seed at Wimbledon is not out of the question. Whether or not he can take advantage of that is another thing. You can count the list of Spanish Wimbledon winners, or even finalists, on one hand. That's why Conchita Martinez is such a strange case - she was a classic dirtballer who just won Wimbledon. Seeing as there isn't much of this match we can talk about, have a picture of her. <br /><br /><center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XWUsbSaKuxyqL0yYKoN3k6uhNHX-GJAzx0BTtbPcKsrsdyaZzfUT_PhMHKrr_kvlWPH8L9ujiAY0KaKN_A_d1cdaC-1XfThwOSPNqA5U3-WLA6wojMAmYWLt3z7Y54J2IBd7SFSnRp1gxaQvQ-0cWrmWctbkzCZjMfoQKV6AKI3UAjpHvYynDvj_G6H5z8f23Vo5OSeX9E5679RtqZZw2NXdNoQ_t0oE3HrNdMX_MUDqJE8v7FlR38VSDmduS8BvaceQHE1ZgQvak1YbVkYoJwkuzcrRMOP4am3dPtKZ3hrtYlBpo4_uNPnveiM9jlyOs3vaV5E2X_1LMcOJ4pYGvWRYzZLKffDDlS6EY1gKgvhhLaDQ5xHOsC_gNjKrFTh-FnAzjkubCp10B9oHwSDXSElHLQNn9N0nazIqsN3DQHWIQnzjxPo0bUjH3T5w8kBIkCPEE38QxF0j5y7wcSbR28WCZMxrhD9ibRMIxr5m9WLKJC_7dvj6R1F4DYrv620TXkglPD-uDd8ReZcGFutpAy-UkcF2-4lsYkF-DNCr7eXm6fAgMoTKvo0FItwgqBikwCrAIKpU111uAqwJLfkcEZSFzHWxCU_-vl0_kwhEVkDMf91ph_Pu=w420-h632-no"></center><br />Rafael Nadal now plays the only man who has troubled him on the clay - Dominic Thiem. Now the funny thing is, Nadal hasn't had a challenging match yet. He honestly has not had to face stiff opposition. And sometimes, when you're at four-all in a tiebreaker, say, you need that. Nadal should win this, but the Austrian is a major banana peel. And there's also the five set factor. If Rafa wins in five grueling sets and plays Stan Wawrinka next, he could struggle. But, really, this should be a Rafa cruise.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">CHATRIER:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">MURRAY D. NISHIKORI</span> <br />....The Scot has looked weak at times, error prone at others, and downright abysmal in parts, too. But he has reached the semi-finals of Roland Garros. He and Kei Nishikori played out an entertaining 2-6, 6-1, 7-6[0], 6-1 four setter in front of the French crowd. Kei started off on fire but deteriorated as the match wore on. While it was fun to watch, there were plenty of times the quality came into question. There were 12 breaks and Murray served for the third set at 6-5. It was a typical Murray match where he just could not put his opponent away. Had Nishikori taken the third set...well, who knows. 71 errors in four sets is also really poor. The Scot has not looked like a world number one during the tournament, and that continued for the two hours and forty minutes he was out there in the quarterfinals. Nishikori moves onto Wimbledon, where he will do terribly and Murray moves onto Wawrinka. Where he will also do terribly. Wawrinka is playing scary tennis right now. Out of this world, hit you off the court, off the continent, hit you into outer space good. He might even be making Rafa a bit nervous.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">LENGLEN:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;"> THIEM D. DJOKOVIC</span> <br />...Dominic Thiem was 0-5 against Novak Djokovic. But now he has his first win. And it was a belting, 7-6[5], 6-3, 6-0. It will send Novak Djokovic to world number three. And he could drop out of the top five altogether. If Stan wins he will be ranked fourth in the world come Wimbledon. He may not even be seeded in the top four. The alarming thing is the lack of chutzpah that Nole showed. He just went away as quietly as Jeb Bush has. In the two and a quarter hour match, Nole was broken six times and hit 35 errors. His opponent, however, was at his swashbuckling best, his backhand singing in the Paris breeze. With his trademark headband and big kicker the Austrian looked the real deal. And, though you might not admit it, you know you want a Wawrinka/Thiem final. You know that's the best of the finals left on the table. And, in fact, if you were offered that at the beginning you would have taken it. Against the best returner in the world, he won 53 per cent of second serves. Djokovic is finished. His career is now dead. He has been awful for months now and if Andre Agassi can't fix it, well who can?<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">LENGLEN:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">CILIC D. WAWRINKA</span> <br />...The Swiss won 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 in an hour and forty minutes. The Swiss broke that big serve six times and won 73 per cent of second serves. He made Marin Cilic look absolutely ordinary. And he did it with total ease. This wasn't a match, it was more a confirmation of Wawrinka's mastery. And now the Swiss plays Murray. And he's going to win that. He is going to smack Murray's second serve about, attack off the Scot's soft forehand wing and use that inside-out backhand like a wrecking ball. He is looking frighteningly good. This BACKSPINNER would even go so far as to say the Roland Garros-Wimbledon double is not out of reach.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><br /><br />Thanks all and visit <a href="http://wtabackspin.blogspot.com">WTA BACKSPIN</a> please.</span>http://atpbackspin.blogspot.com/2017/06/french-open-qf-recap.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Todd.Spiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14702766.post-7672457482033844538Wed, 07 Jun 2017 03:55:00 +00002017-07-04T01:40:02.190-04:00French Open Day 10: A Rainy Day Interlude, Back in Time<center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Jt4H-2xxAWOdCRZH6CXiB7W3b3keXXmfO6NzkM4m5OyB7S7E7YM2JJnyf4rCL3FKSAHOvWxsrgVSd3mNLeQpV5ZXVcD3MmwZo-Z2vSqCMsqivx2fDjaQSpQBJ0FnXlWVNgisWnfgKID8Tpb-Xx5Rlu2O4n_ZM67WRuT_iOu5Cxk0aUAXkJbWVYdlBFJB3O5b5I_-Qp7t_ufJGJ4f7hL_nswEI4yNB0n2whvBBY0a3aEEt7nAmTVN2CuKPyXXZbThEpATgNrjdWl8ZVgPa8YRaOHUi0W03HS3M3P3yf9KpTG7CkvHqaJCOngKHRU1WWrB2xIUQf1ULLD7JqZbKXrDcbonniA4uh9LByGfVVNu7m3QgQAYCt05JLiTxiMibBArVVoi2B9AKCuyoSUDBQn-lNsbsMNbTgg_nigCWoiISpjkL1cjateePJclAyMSb4fvA78ZAgf36wuqEna0bM1N1wQkmI7Iyz91BXFa6A9hghNp3zLGxI7L-N1-ZNQSEt7SXGNHavQdQ9vOJwpV8b4A6JlKkl9Y91NLFCoSdnkHOcO2P8lv7MODwZwy3a2PJjdATs5_cCkq6PGHUt44PoQcFua9WjJNVflGnMneUMdxdki5OVP6sWTp=w398-h48-no"></center>Hey Y'all. Galileo here.<br /><br />It was washed out today at Roland Garros. So, in order to get you ready for the quarterfinals, we have a time machine we built at BACKSPIN HQ. It isn't very good, but what it does do is bring you back to any tennis match in the Open era. It's almost totally useless for real world events, but for the purposes of looking back, more useful than a spanner-hammer combination. <br /><br /><center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_f_oMcCme23M-xW1BdWD_txPVwOTOca1F_LjxlwK6iKFeCZD_nngffb77bSsLIrX41aKQGJAKe5YyI3lmOeZdt0jOgoBQpsmAn7N6_RX1BkrO1abbFBxGThTuKOP8ViGhbBN5Fn45CD2cbEa5hcnFdFUrVXA2hnET_oYzuTrq51_d4zFuePFNxylngVJAbKnHwn8rvxBAfZuoxVHdIaKRgKYC8nu7gZAVg0iEcMFy1wvLKe0QlSGgyRZ9dSfRvHhNU_jHWAQRkHP90Hw0d7ZE4BGm1JNxtakCTecLKGPrFRcMmpwaDAFSJChonytifJYFRtgEinuUM68khI3COUlSN341YshPkWiAmnIr1WNMOMY6XqzLWlQQdZ_Qywl53bHbVKnMeLARtajKHXmnmkg8DAa9ALguy6R1XMnviiltlEycIYO_guUpyzCdp_GfiiCXObEGs8kFyKid18BrapDSe4WY2F6kTE-Zn9qocbPytFsbN6Z16AAqVloEJE9z7Kk9q_KVnAeLeXa5enY3-u-4wiv0M8tCm2wJlKX7HZ8dB2bsZsZKSo1HO_836bGY4EboRgvNAkmj8FXEy83EER9n5w_eUyRN1ywcIjirF16yikrPSiczjb6=s400-no"></center><span class="fullpost"><br /><br />But before that, we do have a result. Michael Venus and Ryan Harrison have beaten 7th seeded Ivan Dodig and Marcel Granollers. A former finalist, the Spaniard has at least hit his seeding. The Croat won it in 2015. It also means the last seeds left standing are the 16th seeded Colombians, Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah. But they will play Harrison/Venus, who have already beaten the 4th seeds [Kubot/Melo] and now the 7th seeds. Can they beat their third set of seeds? <br /><br />So take my hand and let's go back. Our first match comes from the 1970s. And ABBA's Fernando was ruling the world. But we are concerned with a different Swede...<br /><br /><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f77/backspinner/logogenerator5Cupl5C18419103160_764743.jpg"> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">1976:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">PANATTA D. BORG</span> <br />...Only one man has ever beaten Bjorn Borg at Roland Garros. Not Ivan Lendl. Not even Guillermo Vilas. No, it was the unassuming and, sadly, mostly forgotten Italian. Adriano Panatta made three semi-finals at the French Open. All of them between 1973-76. In 1973 he beat Borg in the fourth round of his first ever slam, 7-6, 2-6, 7-5, 7-6. That year, in the semi, he lost to Nikola Pilic. When he won his lone slam, in '76, he was seeded eighth again. Borg had beaten him in four in the previous year's semi, but the Italian responded by beating the top seeded Swede 6-3, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6. The two time defending champion had looked rustier during that tournament and would skip the next edition. But Panatta saved a match point against Pavel Hutka in the first round. Had he lost that point he would not even be a footnote in history. For the 3500 fans at Roland Garros and those at home, this was a classic match and one that they never forgot. <br /><br /><center><iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r9BhExPOlPo?ecver=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />In a list of classic quarter-finals the only guy who ever beat The Great One should be recognised. <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">1983:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">NOAH D. LENDL</span> <br />...This is one burnt into the tennis annals. Ivan Lendl, seeded third, had dropped just one set in his first four matches. But Yannick Noah, coming off consecutive quarter-final appearances, has dropped none. The result? A famous 7-6, 6-2, 5-7, 6-0 victory. This may have been before Lendl had that air of invulnerability about him, before he rose to the power he would become. But the fact someone who played, well, like Gael Monfils, could win a slam was amazing. It was an emotional run to the title, capped off by an excellent final. To beat Lendl and Mats Wilander in the latter stages of a slam is an exceptional feat, particularly at Roland Garros. It would be Noah's only run to a slam final but, supported by the crowd, he became the first Frenchman to win the slam in the Open era. He is also currently the last. And who could forget how happy he was to win?<br /><br /><center><iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7l5GQqEwDGU?ecver=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">1997:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">KUERTEN D. COSTA</span> <br />...In 1996, Guga Kuerten and Wilander played at the 1996 French Open. For one of them it would be their first slam. For the other it would be their last. The next year Guga, unseeded, beat Jonas Bjokrman, Thomas Muster and Andrei Medvedev just to make the quarters. Against the last two he had won in five. The Russian defending champion had looked fairly good. And in the quarters he took a two sets to one lead against the Brazilian. But Guga, aged just 21, came back to win 6-2, 5-7, 2-6, 6-0, 6-4.<br /><br /><center><iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SnvMatv3XvM?ecver=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />The Russian actually lead their head-to-head 7-5. But he lost from two sets to one up in 2000. And Guga beat him in four the next year, too. But there is something special about the original run of Guga's. He hit so freely and swung throughout that we all felt released, we all felt like we could hit the ball as he could. He showed a different kind of tennis then. His beautiful backhand and surprisingly big serve. His famous bandana and whippy forehand. He was a world number one you could get behind.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">2015:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">DJOKOVIC D. NADAL</span> <br />...When Nole beat Rafa Nadal 7-5, 6-3, 6-1 something inside this BACKSPINNER broke. Both of these guys has looked good in the actual tournament, though Rafa had not looked good during the clay court swing. At the end of match, as the Serb was closing it out, you just felt so sad for the Spaniard, so sorry for him. It was cruel watching the last ten minutes of that. Not a classic like the other matches, but memorable. It looked like the end of an era, like Rafa's time was finished. It is a match that will stick in the memory for a long time. A vanquished champion is one of the saddest sights in sport. And for Rafa to be back this year is incredible.<br /><br /><center><iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XvrIHPrBQHg?ecver=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><br /><br />Thanks all and visit <a href="http://wtabackspin.blogspot.com">WTA BACKSPIN</a> please.</span>http://atpbackspin.blogspot.com/2017/06/french-open-day-10-rainy-day-interlude.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Todd.Spiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14702766.post-6099386507433205210Tue, 06 Jun 2017 13:07:00 +00002017-07-04T01:40:15.659-04:00French Open Day 9: Form (mostly) Holds, For Now<center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Jt4H-2xxAWOdCRZH6CXiB7W3b3keXXmfO6NzkM4m5OyB7S7E7YM2JJnyf4rCL3FKSAHOvWxsrgVSd3mNLeQpV5ZXVcD3MmwZo-Z2vSqCMsqivx2fDjaQSpQBJ0FnXlWVNgisWnfgKID8Tpb-Xx5Rlu2O4n_ZM67WRuT_iOu5Cxk0aUAXkJbWVYdlBFJB3O5b5I_-Qp7t_ufJGJ4f7hL_nswEI4yNB0n2whvBBY0a3aEEt7nAmTVN2CuKPyXXZbThEpATgNrjdWl8ZVgPa8YRaOHUi0W03HS3M3P3yf9KpTG7CkvHqaJCOngKHRU1WWrB2xIUQf1ULLD7JqZbKXrDcbonniA4uh9LByGfVVNu7m3QgQAYCt05JLiTxiMibBArVVoi2B9AKCuyoSUDBQn-lNsbsMNbTgg_nigCWoiISpjkL1cjateePJclAyMSb4fvA78ZAgf36wuqEna0bM1N1wQkmI7Iyz91BXFa6A9hghNp3zLGxI7L-N1-ZNQSEt7SXGNHavQdQ9vOJwpV8b4A6JlKkl9Y91NLFCoSdnkHOcO2P8lv7MODwZwy3a2PJjdATs5_cCkq6PGHUt44PoQcFua9WjJNVflGnMneUMdxdki5OVP6sWTp=w398-h48-no"></center>Hey Y'all. Galileo here.<br /><br />Daria Gavrilova is out. She and partner A-Pavs have fallen by the wayside in the women’s doubles. Bested by her compatriots, Ash Barty and Casey Dellacqua, they lost 7-6[2], 6-4. So it is now onto the grass swing for Dasha.<br /><br /><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"><div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"><div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div><p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BU_cefEASwl/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Packing... it&#39;s timw for grass court season! Going to the next home away from home @Airbnb 🇫🇷---&gt;🇬🇧</a></p><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Daria Gavrilova (@daria_gav) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2017-06-06T08:25:07+00:00">Jun 6, 2017 at 1:25am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote><script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><span class="fullpost"><br /><br />Todd and I do a lot of work comparing eras for one project or another. It is easier to predict the future by looking back sometimes. Other times it is a fun thing to do. What is happening a lot these days that didn’t used to with such frequency is <a href="http://citizen.co.za/sport/sport-other-sport/1533991/kevin-anderson-suffers-cruel-fate-french-open/">this.</a><br /><br />Now these guys would play 100 matches a season. Air travel was not as good as it is today. They didn’t have physios or the attention to fitness that is around today. And injuries just weren’t an issue at all, really. Players didn’t get hurt. These days if you don’t have five retirements in any given event [women’s or men’s singles etc.] that’s a bit odd. This past tournament, David Goffin, Nico Almagro and now Kevin Anderson have all fallen a-foul of injuries. It is a sad sight to see a really good player limping around, looking like the walking wounded. And it is far too frequent. This BACKSPINNER cannot get the screams of Mary Pierce out of his head. Nor can he forget the look on Rafael Nadal’s face at the 2011 Australian Open. <br /><br />More work needs to be done on safeguarding our players, more effort needs to be put in. It is not as bad as other professional sports, but that is no justification. One thing the ATP could do is to give a player a wildcard to a slam if they have been to the last eight there before. If Almagro wants to enter next year, he gets a wildcard. Just like that.<br /><br />But enough of that. Let’s talk about tennis. In the men’s doubles, the only seeds left are the 7th and 16th. <br /><br />Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares lost 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-4) to Santiago Gonzalez and Donald Young in the quarterfinals. It is in fact the first time the Scot has been this far at Roland Garros. Murray served for it at 6-3, 5-3. He couldn’t make it and so the highest seeds left, lost in agonizing circumstances. They won eight more points and another game but could not make their greater ranking and ability tell on the underdogs.<br /><br /><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f77/backspinner/logogenerator5Cupl5C18419103160_764743.jpg"> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">CHATRIER:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">MURRAY D. KHACHANOV</span> <br />...What a journey for the kid. It took the world number one to finally see him off. After he beat 13th seed Tomas Berdych and 21st seed John Isner, dropping just one set, he looked set for a very deep run indeed. But Andy Murray has found himself some form. And on the day, he was too good for the youngster, dismissing him 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. Murray broke five times in the two-hour contest, and was too robust in defence for his inexperienced opponent. He went 29-14 on the winners to errors ratio and managed to play a controlled match against a dangerous opponent. For Khachanov a seed at Wimbledon is in the cards. Slated to rise 14 places to 39 in the world, a final run next week on grass would probably see him in. Murray now gets Nishikori. He owns the head-to-head 8-2, but lost their last slam meeting, which was also at the quarterfinal stages. If Kei brings his "A"-game it could be close, but Murray currently looks inspired.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">LENGLEN:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">WAWRINKA D. MONFILS</span> <br />...Stan Wawrinka, Domi Thiem, Rafael Nadal and Marin Cilic. None of them has dropped a set thus far. Not that either speaks a lot about them, or it reflects very poorly on the ATP tour. You would think, with the depth of quality around, the abundance of talent, and the physicality of the game today, one of these guys would have dropped a set so far. It is usual for one quarterfinalist to not have dropped a set. It is strange for four not to. And, speaking of anomalies, we have seven of the top eight seeds in the quarters. It happens more often than you might think. This nearly happened at the 2011 Australian Open. And, like back in 2011, the seed [or seeds, as it was six years ago] not to make it lost in the fourth round. Had Milos Raonic closed out his match we would have a perfect slate of quarterfinals. It was the same at the 2015 edition of Roland Garros. Had Tomas Berdych won his fourth round match...<br /><br />Anyway, Gael Monfils was blunted out by a superb Wawrinka in a fantastic fourth round clash. The Swiss won 7-5, 7-6[7], 6-2. Six years after the last time, the third seeded Stan has played his friend again. And though it was not straightforward, he really broke the back of the match by winning that second set breaker. He broke five times to two and managed to win 62 per cent of his opponent's second serves, a huge amount. It has been controlled aggression throughout from Stan-the-Man and he could beat Rafa here. There is nobody else capable of it. This BACKSPINNER certainly believes that he is capable, and is probably the favourite, against Murray. <br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gael Monfils laid it all out there: <a href="https://t.co/ZczWITcUOw">https://t.co/ZczWITcUOw</a> <a href="https://t.co/e3VJTXvqcO">pic.twitter.com/e3VJTXvqcO</a></p>&mdash; Deadspin (@Deadspin) <a href="https://twitter.com/Deadspin/status/871794294386040833">June 5, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /><br />This one is for you Todd. We all know how much you like Gael. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#B22222;">[ED.NOTE: Ha! Although, I think that was more of an effort thing than a needless hot-dog sort of move. <em>The clay, with the ability to slide, sort of levels out the needless riskiness of some of his moves on other surfaces.</em> And, hey, I *did* speakingly admiringly of his hangtime on a smash on WTAB the other day. - tds]</span><br /><center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sUiVpRj1Vl-lwelI81mCQB0zaLajURO_XBzaStdWYCPYI5cQBjx1TGqzCBqzrcNhitePQCOhBviKHP3f0L9D4OnnN0AtiBT9D2SkvP09sLQUkSibQnkgh2KlWGyEoX-pWDqgZkCY9O2T1cjKsAik3-nHtZHLoQsJ7PfrTl5ob5s1EdkPdXxz_hn73Mblai66HuUcJD2ph96hlPDdtSvRCoA8HPy2I3K8aYUl9sfTYmDeqx6pzoSLNsgNRDQIhwiR85nHe8NF__i6bVTe6JemdtIoeJq38V1AyvkePullFF3ObZpLhfyFoE__iC72a7P4lX4PkPGifDzURLrETqoooYHSRnFzmMx7jt25MwK5DnkROEjioIk33AlajnOKM2jTMpRfGmCchCGXOA8SLJAUeJJss66R7O5L3S4-c3jhxdaG6PycAfaKNkvWxgu6c52Uw6QGFB-MFMC-qghj_9In4-pgp37PVvm6vbnVnJNdErNgsR1Gi37fZLN_sFC59AjZkugJSrHEs6lUPBKY91Q2IorfJdUNKJKhDWMGaIOokUCA0X-66zlM_t7Uw7jlDKb05SPWm6bInzg5ug5M93zRXNN9Qmq4ucYvlSmpEItL1rvocDAW7rqh=s20-no"></center><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">LENGLEN:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">NISHIKORI D. VERDASCO</span> <br />...Nishikori lost the first 6-0 but won the last 6-0. How’s that for a turnaround? In two and a half hours he won 0-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-0. It was a typical Verdasco performance - exciting and mystifying. This was not a good match, not a high-quality match. It was 62-89 on the winners to errors count. Kei was awful in the first and neither player was very impressive at all. The Japanese man got the win, yes, but it wasn’t very impressive. Had the Spaniard kept his head he would have won this quite easily. His forehand wing has found a new lease of life from somewhere. To win against Murray, Nishikori needs to improve his first serve percentage. He needs it to be above 53 per cent. The Scot will pick off his second serve in a way that Ferver just can’t. Ferver might be seeded at a slam again, and at Wimbledon. So watch out. But Kei has a daunting task now. He must go up against the world number one. This is his second quarter-final here at Roland Garros. Can he make the most of it this time? Last time Jo-W Tsonga bested him in five sets. This time it will be even harder.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">COURT THREE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">CILIC D. ANDERSON</span> <br />...Cilic led 6-3, 3-0 when Kevin Anderson pulled the plug. No word yet on why, but it could be due to the ankle problem he has had. Marin Cilic must now face off against Stan Wawrinka. Good luck to him in that one. He will need it - Wawrinka leads the h-2-h 11-2 and has not lost to him since 2010. He has won their past seven matches. He has been to the semi-finals twice in a row and the Croat is making his first quarterfinal appearance. So the stage is set for a massive upset.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><br /><br />Thanks all and visit <a href="http://wtabackspin.blogspot.com">WTA BACKSPIN</a> please.</span>http://atpbackspin.blogspot.com/2017/06/french-open-day-9-form-mostly-holds-for.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Todd.Spiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14702766.post-3674239559007684066Mon, 05 Jun 2017 11:52:00 +00002017-07-04T01:40:26.732-04:00French Open Day 8: Silence Please, Lesson in Progress<center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Jt4H-2xxAWOdCRZH6CXiB7W3b3keXXmfO6NzkM4m5OyB7S7E7YM2JJnyf4rCL3FKSAHOvWxsrgVSd3mNLeQpV5ZXVcD3MmwZo-Z2vSqCMsqivx2fDjaQSpQBJ0FnXlWVNgisWnfgKID8Tpb-Xx5Rlu2O4n_ZM67WRuT_iOu5Cxk0aUAXkJbWVYdlBFJB3O5b5I_-Qp7t_ufJGJ4f7hL_nswEI4yNB0n2whvBBY0a3aEEt7nAmTVN2CuKPyXXZbThEpATgNrjdWl8ZVgPa8YRaOHUi0W03HS3M3P3yf9KpTG7CkvHqaJCOngKHRU1WWrB2xIUQf1ULLD7JqZbKXrDcbonniA4uh9LByGfVVNu7m3QgQAYCt05JLiTxiMibBArVVoi2B9AKCuyoSUDBQn-lNsbsMNbTgg_nigCWoiISpjkL1cjateePJclAyMSb4fvA78ZAgf36wuqEna0bM1N1wQkmI7Iyz91BXFa6A9hghNp3zLGxI7L-N1-ZNQSEt7SXGNHavQdQ9vOJwpV8b4A6JlKkl9Y91NLFCoSdnkHOcO2P8lv7MODwZwy3a2PJjdATs5_cCkq6PGHUt44PoQcFua9WjJNVflGnMneUMdxdki5OVP6sWTp=w398-h48-no"></center>Hey Y'all. Galileo here.<br /><br />It is funny how things work, particularly in our sport. We expected the big names, the veterans, in the ladies to cruise through and the gentlemen to struggle. Instead we say goodbye to three former French Open finalists on the WTA side. And none of the big guns was troubled at all.<br /><br />In Britain, the laws are archaic. For a time, a pregnant woman was allowed to pee in a policeman’s hat. That is no longer the case, but there are still plenty of strange rules. There is one street in London on which you can legally shepherd sheep, though only on Sundays. And the rules of succession to the crown are even more convoluted. The fact male heirs precede female has caused so many problems down the years. America might have been an entirely different country if a woman had been running England at the time. <br /><br />Anyway, we must decide who will succeed Rafa as the King of Clay.<span class="fullpost"> Usually this crown, this office, is only held briefly. Bjorn Borg had it for a decade, though Guillermo Vilas did challenge him for it frequently, and Thomas Muster has waved that sceptre. Gustavo Kuerten, Guillermo Coria and even Sergi Bruguera have laid claim to that title. <em>Did you know that the Spaniard never went beyond the fourth round at any other slam? And yet he was a three-time French Open finalist.</em> How whacky is that?<br /><br />Rafael Nadal has been the best clay courter in the world consistently for 12 years. But he will need a successor, will need someone he can trust to reign in his stead. Chung Hyeon’s time may come. But right now it is more likely to be Alexander Zverev or Dominic Thiem. Both of those two men are going to win an awful lot of clay court matches and titles. They should both win Roland Garros several times, too. Right now Nadal still holds the title of King, but he can sense the time of succession is soon. This could very well be Rafa’s final slam title. If he gets one more bad injury anywhere, that’s it. <br /><br />This slam we have seen the difference between the two youngsters. Thiem is not fazed by anything, but Zverev could not handle the pressure of playing a talented opponent. He could not handle a bruising match straight off the bat. But the Austrian is a contender for player of the week. He had another great result on the second Sunday. <br /><br />A sad note, before we start, to touch upon. In a match held on from the previous day, Richard Gasquet retired in the eighth game of the third set. He had a thigh injury. This BACKSPINNER honestly expects retirement to be forthcoming from the aged and broken veteran. <br /><br />In other news, Kei Nishikori retained his number one in Asia ranking, by beating Chung 7-5, 6-4, 6-7[4], 0-6, 6-4. He won just four more points, and fewer games. But a win is a win. One youngster did make it through. Karen Khachanov beat Isner in exactly three hours, 7-6[1], 6-3, 6-7[5], 7-6[3]. Want to guess how many breaks there were in that one? Yep. One. <br /><br /><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f77/backspinner/logogenerator5Cupl5C18419103160_764743.jpg"> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">CHATRIER:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">DJOKOVIC D. RAMOS-VINOLAS</span> <br />...It is so difficult to make back-to-back quarterfinals at a slam, especially if it is the first time you get that far. And ARV had a shot at the repeat, he really had a chance. Novak did not look that good, he looked there for the taking. The Spaniard led 4-2 in the first set. The opening set lasted 73 minutes and was not one for the aficionado. But the Serb, of course, clawed his way back and then led in the tiebreaker 4-0. But he lost 4 points in a row. A combined 41 errors in that first set and neither player looked that good. But once he had a set under his belt, Novak was able to turn it on. It is vitally, crucially, important to take the first set against the world number one. Once the Spaniard came up short, and by millimetres, the match was all over. Indeed, the last two sets only lasted an hour and a quarter, the Serb winning 7-6[5], 6-1, 6-3. Yes, the Spaniard came back in the third set, and played some wonderful shots, but he doesn’t have the weaponry. And you need to have it to beat the best. Next up for Djokovic is Thiem, and he has owned the Austrian so far. Why should this be any different?<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">LENGLEN:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">NADAL D. BAUTISTA AGUT</span> <br />...One hour and fifty minutes. 6-1, 6-2, 6-2. Nadal has taken one of the tour's best and most consistent players, and ripped him a new one. Agut is a great returner, hits good balls and is tactically astute. He has never been able to handle playing the bug guys, however, and so Nadal on clay was always going to be impossible. It isn’t like he didn’t try, but his attack is rather toothless. He hit just 12 winners and lost his serve 12 times. He was brutally manhandled. There is no analysis, no way of spinning it to make it sound like it was alright. I’d love to tell you that Bautista Agut fought the good fight and he got more than five games, but The ATP tour is no fairytale world. And now Rafa has another Spaniard. He gets to play Pablo Carreno Busta. And that one is going to be over very quickly. Busta, a maiden slam quarterfinalist, is going to be in for a rude awakening. Players think they can prepare for Rafa, but they as may well be preparing for cheese rolling the amount of good it’ll do them.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">LENGLEN:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">THIEM D. ZEBALLOS</span> <br />...Thiem defeated the Argentinian 6-1, 6-3, 6-1 in one hour and 40 minutes. He has now conceded 30 games. For context, Nadal conceded 34 games in his 2010 run to the title through his first four matches. So Thiem has thus far surpassed the master. But now he has a real challenge. He is 0-5 against Novak Djokovic. In their last two clay court meetings he has been trounced, smacked about and made to look very silly. Beating Zeballos comfortably is a great result, yes, but that is unimportant. It is expected. Now comes the real test. If he loses here, with all the momentum, with a tired and patchy Djokovic down the other end, well, then it will start to become like the Sharapova/Serena dynamic. And, boy, can both of us tell you all about that. Todd has written several tomes on the matter. Thiem has to forget the head-to-head and he has to attack the Djokovic serve. He needs to also break down that forehand wing. The inside-out backhand into the Djokovic forehand is a play that could reap dividends. Regardless of the result, it should prove to be very watchable. Horacio Zeballos rises 20 places to world number 45. His career high is 39. If he doesn’t bust that wide open, then my name is Bob Dylan.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">COURT ONE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00. E;">CARRENO BUSTA D. RAONIC</span> <br />...We finish with an absolute barn-stormer, a classic for the ages. Pablo Carreno Busta has defeated Milos Raonic, the 5th seed, 4-6, 7-6[2], 6-7[6], 6-4, 8-6. It took over four and a quarter hours and it spanned an entire afternoon of play. 193 points to 189. 31 games to 29. 13 breaks of service. It was an amazing match. The Canadian’s winner ratio was 92-84. The Spaniard only hit 28 errors during the match, but only hit half [exactly half] of Raonic’s winners. This was offense versus defence. This was grind versus short points. And we have a maiden quarterfinalist at the end of it. The Spaniard will rise to a new career high of 17, after he rose four places. He also improves to 1-16 against the top ten, having lost all of them before now. This had everything - long rallies, bad misses and a lot of drama. Serving for it at 5-4, the Spaniard had three match points... <em>and lost his serve.</em> It took him another four games to finally, finally close it out. For Raonic this was a good result, in a way. He is now ready to defend all those Wimbledon points from last year. Busta gets Nadal. Well, it was nice while it lasted.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><br /><br />I shall leave you simply with <a href="http://video.eurosport.co.uk/tennis/french-open/2017/pablo-carreno-busta-walks-out-of-interview-overcome-by-emotion_vid981365/video.shtml">this</a>...<br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Carreno Busta could not finish his interview, bc he was too emotional. Never change ?? <a href="https://twitter.com/pablocarreno91">@pablocarreno91</a> <a href="https://t.co/IdezwEmjJK">pic.twitter.com/IdezwEmjJK</a></p>&mdash; Andi ?? (@GOATrena) <a href="https://twitter.com/GOATrena/status/871384531697324032">June 4, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /><br />and <a href="http://video.eurosport.co.uk/tennis/french-open-men/2017/french-open-2017-the-rally-of-the-match-djokovic-loses-epic-point-to-ramos-vinolas_vid981527/video.shtml">this,</a> too...<br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This rally between Djokovic and Ramos-Vinolas earlier today at Roland Garros was unreal <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FrenchOpen?src=hash">#FrenchOpen</a> <a href="https://t.co/Nl8EOWfsX2">pic.twitter.com/Nl8EOWfsX2</a></p>&mdash; R. Harold Merkin (@REALHarryMerkin) <a href="https://twitter.com/REALHarryMerkin/status/871581335995002884">June 5, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /><br /><br />Thanks all and visit <a href="http://wtabackspin.blogspot.com">WTA BACKSPIN</a> please.</span>http://atpbackspin.blogspot.com/2017/06/french-open-day-8-silence-please-lesson.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Todd.Spiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14702766.post-7971283448407929979Sun, 04 Jun 2017 13:39:00 +00002017-07-04T01:40:38.745-04:00French Open Day 7: "I only wanted to see you underneath the Paris rain... [Paris rain, Paris rain]"<center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Jt4H-2xxAWOdCRZH6CXiB7W3b3keXXmfO6NzkM4m5OyB7S7E7YM2JJnyf4rCL3FKSAHOvWxsrgVSd3mNLeQpV5ZXVcD3MmwZo-Z2vSqCMsqivx2fDjaQSpQBJ0FnXlWVNgisWnfgKID8Tpb-Xx5Rlu2O4n_ZM67WRuT_iOu5Cxk0aUAXkJbWVYdlBFJB3O5b5I_-Qp7t_ufJGJ4f7hL_nswEI4yNB0n2whvBBY0a3aEEt7nAmTVN2CuKPyXXZbThEpATgNrjdWl8ZVgPa8YRaOHUi0W03HS3M3P3yf9KpTG7CkvHqaJCOngKHRU1WWrB2xIUQf1ULLD7JqZbKXrDcbonniA4uh9LByGfVVNu7m3QgQAYCt05JLiTxiMibBArVVoi2B9AKCuyoSUDBQn-lNsbsMNbTgg_nigCWoiISpjkL1cjateePJclAyMSb4fvA78ZAgf36wuqEna0bM1N1wQkmI7Iyz91BXFa6A9hghNp3zLGxI7L-N1-ZNQSEt7SXGNHavQdQ9vOJwpV8b4A6JlKkl9Y91NLFCoSdnkHOcO2P8lv7MODwZwy3a2PJjdATs5_cCkq6PGHUt44PoQcFua9WjJNVflGnMneUMdxdki5OVP6sWTp=w398-h48-no"></center>Hey Y'all. Galileo here.<br /><br /><center><iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JuFuUQn9CZM?list=RDJuFuUQn9CZM?ecver=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><span class="fullpost"><br /><br />The top eight seeds are all, as play stands, still in. Seeds 15, 17, 19-21 and 24 are still around.<br /><br />Let’s have some more predictions, shall we? Due to the rain, we are a match short. Karen Khachanov, predicted to rise five places to 48, could beat his previous best ranking of 42. He has taken the first set off John Isner 7-6[1]. This BACKSPINNER is going to call that a Russian victory, but in four sets. <span style="font-weight; color:#B22222;">[ED.NOTE: ding-ding-ding-ding. - tds]</span> The Russian may even show some emotion with that win.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#B22222;">[Ummm, well... <em>he *does* at least seem to like bananas.</em> Maybe.]</span><br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">LOL @ Khachanov just sitting and eating after match was done. <a href="https://t.co/M7WOaxN3Jf">pic.twitter.com/M7WOaxN3Jf</a></p>&mdash; moruni (@morunien) <a href="https://twitter.com/morunien/status/871329370824097792">June 4, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /><br />In the battle for rightful ruler of all Asia, the score is delicately poised at 5-7, 4-6, 7-6(4), 3-0, with Hyeon Chung in ascendancy. Tomorrow, Kei Nishikori will take a while to find his feet. Once he does he is going to win in five. <span style="font-weight; color:#B22222;">[After dropping the 4th at love, he won in five.]</span> The South Korean will come a cropper to the experience of the Asian number one.<br /><br />And in the Gasquet/Monfils duel, it is Gael Monfils with the 6-5 advantage. But it is on serve and their head-to-head is only 7-6 in the favour of Monfils. This will be a four set Monfils win. Neither are in great form, or are fully healthy. But can Gasquet hit through the wall that is Gael? <span style="font-weight; color:#B22222;">[It ended with a 3rd set retirement. But -- shocker - it wasn't from Monfils, but Gasquet!]</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f77/backspinner/logogenerator5Cupl5C18419103160_764743.jpg"> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">CHATRIER:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">MURRAY D. DEL POTRO</span> <br />...The Argentine led in the first set with a break, but once it started to go it went very quickly. Delpo’s first appearance here in five years was ended in three hours by the Scot, 7-6[8], 7-5, 6-0. In it Muzza had to dig extremely deep, and come up with magic from nowhere to take it. He held four set points in the first set but could not close it out. After that it just got tougher and tougher. Murray was lucky to get away with the first set but, once he did, he didn’t really look back.<br /><br /><center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/RDo1p-x44CYsIYDpZ7YgQjIubfUKhYKBLwsD9LrSm9PxnwsR0dFcPlXMVpTFLlvTgMARYBwxVhDiL4V-O8CDG814T8zBVOqL9jLRRKubJSI9j2ai4ya68_0BrrME97SKeX0QE-q1Hj3y3RkKalMtrZy9Ax8dZihxbt405Y0HdrwmIq01QnQb_HFs03ol3W-5wghSqNaGrBbHSEJ4QQVxGqQdTxNn-yH-422Gz-CuZM1lH31cF8G8SWtzypJOp8aDRRIKOrMqx-rTdVEc5Agd6myGxfjFPXg4V8LVusYLKq_GCSW8JLkWhopknOi_TQuNrCwm2vQ57NeyU7h9oZchsOP6O0AaESRYpgOb_8BUTwPYRZ9uHXNe-zCuLoqdaALV7bUePLul0TScvadzYoKQ_AaOH4IybizyvJsR7Zefp0AGO_OKBf-rpOStaSnoewDMBBlQ_FbCvwNZYkwpfvyJnjJyh2UsHJk3KhGGGvXrWVf624E0bPEjzJhq33LPCJ_3MbDXxDxOlqsL64DwrezMIOG7MPeZGu0KhMT4Sd73KlTlDIz_SQsjnmKzvANidoobvrpLq9nZGeRfNbVBOEitJvHp-CZtAdQ2itOfGcQSMhHGcfc7Bcff=w420-h297-no"></center><br />Del Potro took the loss of the first set very hard indeed. But he can use this experience. Last year he made the third round of Wimbledon, beating Stan Wawrinka in the process. The time before that he made the semi-finals. Good things happen to the giant on the grass. Murray has played his best match of the year and it isn’t even close. His winner ratio of 44-28 was extraordinary. And breaking the big server six times? Superb. He has rounded into form and now plays Khachanov <s>or, maybe, John Isner.</s><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">LENGLEN:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">CILIC D. LOPEZ</span> <br />...Well, you must simply tip your hat to the brilliance of Marin Cilic. He has been dismal the whole year. <br /><br /><center><iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/m0TwuEqlzpw?ecver=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />He has barely been able to string match wins together, let alone make a run anywhere. But here he is at his worst slam and, somehow, he is looking superb. He beat Lopez, playing in his millionth straight RG, 6-1, 6-3, 6-3. It only lasted an hour and a quarter. Cilic broke six times, won 74% of second serve return points, and made a very talented player look like an amateur. His forehand is now in gear, and if he can replicate this at Wimbledon, he should do very well. He must now face Kevin Anderson. It would be the most Cilic thing ever if he were to somehow lose that match. Both men have a golden chance to make a deep run here in Paris. It is a golden gift they have been handed, but the winner does have to play Wawrinka.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">LENGLEN:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">WARINKA D. FOGNINI</span> <br />...Fabio Fognini served for the first set at 5-4. He had played well, had kept the Stanimal at bay, and might have been on course for an upset. Fabio didn’t even get a set point before he was broken. He got three set point chances at 6-5 but was broken then, too. After that he won two more games. His spirit was broken. He didn’t even misbehave. He was very limp as he lost 7-6[2], 6-0, 6-2. It didn’t even last two hours. And if there is anyone in the draw who could best Nadal it is Wawrinka. He is looking very good right now. His next opponent will have played three days in a row. He knew both of his potential opponents (Monfils/Gasquet) quite well. I just don’t see how he can lose. And then in the quarters he gets to face off against Cilic or Anderson. He hasn’t dropped a set. He may not drop one on the way to his third semi-final in a row here.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">COURT TWO:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">ANDERSON D. EDMUND</span> <br />...The run continues. The match-up between Africa’s number one and Britain’s Kyle Edmund had massive repercussions attached to it. Earlier in the tournament the Kevin had beaten Malek Jaziri. So, regardless of the rankings, he is right now the best player on his continent. Should the big server win it he would be in with a chance of taking a seed at Wimbledon and his comeback would be almost complete. But if the Brit won he would be able to make his second fourth round appearance at a slam in the last three. And he, too, would have had a shot at that elusive grand slam seed. The stakes were high for the boys from Johannesburg. In two hours and 58 minutes, Anderson came back from two sets to one down to win, 6-7[8], 7-6[4], 5-7, 6-1, 6-4. He blasted 65 winners and broke three times to Edmund’s once. The key was on second serve returns. Anderson managed to win 63 per cent of his, but Edmund could only win 55 per cent. Both those numbers are great, but in matches like this it is that eight per cent which can turn things. There is a fallacy that big servers struggle on clay. Some do. But if they are intelligent big-servers, like Kevin, they do just fine. They use angles, kick and slice. All of those things are quite unpleasant on the dirt. And Kevin has a wonderful forehand. It makes a great second shot. If he can beat Cilic, the 11 time ATP finalist would have a new lease on life. Cilic leads the head-to-head 5-1, but it is only 1-1 on clay. If the South African lost that he would still be seeded at Wimbledon if he won or had a good result on the grass swing. A quarterfinal at Queens would do it.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">COURT THREE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">VERDASCO D. CUEVAS</span> <br />...If the Spaniard can ever get all his game working he is very deadly. The conqueror of Alex Zverev took out another seed. The 22nd, from Uruguay, was dispatched in an hour and a half. Just 93 minutes to utterly wreck another player. And at a slam no less. Ferver saw off his opponent 6-2, 6-1, 6-3. He broke eight times to his opponent’s two and hit 31 winners to ten. He is one of a number who are rising, who are finding form at this year’s Roland Garros. That forehand is one of the biggest weapons we have in our sport today. And, apart from Nadal, nobody is immune to it. He has knocked out two seeds personally. With Nishikori in a long battle and Nadal miles away in the draw he could get to the semi-finals. Even if Muzza has looked good recently that forehand is still going to be a concern for him.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><br /><br />Thanks all and visit <a href="http://wtabackspin.blogspot.com">WTA BACKSPIN</a> please.</span>http://atpbackspin.blogspot.com/2017/06/french-open-day-7-i-only-wanted-to-see.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Todd.Spiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14702766.post-4610081330724781315Sat, 03 Jun 2017 12:14:00 +00002017-07-04T01:40:51.298-04:00French Open Day 6: A Tale of Two Cities<center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Jt4H-2xxAWOdCRZH6CXiB7W3b3keXXmfO6NzkM4m5OyB7S7E7YM2JJnyf4rCL3FKSAHOvWxsrgVSd3mNLeQpV5ZXVcD3MmwZo-Z2vSqCMsqivx2fDjaQSpQBJ0FnXlWVNgisWnfgKID8Tpb-Xx5Rlu2O4n_ZM67WRuT_iOu5Cxk0aUAXkJbWVYdlBFJB3O5b5I_-Qp7t_ufJGJ4f7hL_nswEI4yNB0n2whvBBY0a3aEEt7nAmTVN2CuKPyXXZbThEpATgNrjdWl8ZVgPa8YRaOHUi0W03HS3M3P3yf9KpTG7CkvHqaJCOngKHRU1WWrB2xIUQf1ULLD7JqZbKXrDcbonniA4uh9LByGfVVNu7m3QgQAYCt05JLiTxiMibBArVVoi2B9AKCuyoSUDBQn-lNsbsMNbTgg_nigCWoiISpjkL1cjateePJclAyMSb4fvA78ZAgf36wuqEna0bM1N1wQkmI7Iyz91BXFa6A9hghNp3zLGxI7L-N1-ZNQSEt7SXGNHavQdQ9vOJwpV8b4A6JlKkl9Y91NLFCoSdnkHOcO2P8lv7MODwZwy3a2PJjdATs5_cCkq6PGHUt44PoQcFua9WjJNVflGnMneUMdxdki5OVP6sWTp=w398-h48-no"></center>Hey Y'all. Galileo here.<br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A masterclass from Rafael Nadal 🙌<br /><br />He beats Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-0 6-1 6-0 to reach the fourth round at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RG17?src=hash">#RG17</a> <a href="https://t.co/OMkuTnlWyI">https://t.co/OMkuTnlWyI</a> <a href="https://t.co/UoZtQscZaY">pic.twitter.com/UoZtQscZaY</a></p>&mdash; BBC Sport (@BBCSport) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCSport/status/870622064264314880">June 2, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><span class="fullpost"><br /><br />In Dasha news, the Australian has gone through in the doubles with partner A-Pavs after Mirjana Lucic-Baroni and Andrea Petkovic retired after winning the first set 6-2. Nowhere can this BACKSPINNER find the reason behind the retirement, not even on the German's twitter. Any idea Todd? <span style="font-weight; color:#B22222;">[Ed.Note: MLB came in with some sort of injury after retiring vs. Sharapova in Rome, and it was her this time, as well. <em>Not sure what it is, though.</em>]</span><br /><br />Perhaps more by luck than actual brilliance, the two have found themselves in the third round. They are almost certain to face Ash Barty and Casey Dellacqua next, in what would be a very Australian feeling clash. <br /><br />In the men's doubles we have the 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th and 16th seeds left. On Day 6, the 4th seeds Melo/Kubot lost in three. The Bryans [3] lost in straight sets.<br /><br />But wait because it gets better. The last two seeds left in the bottom half play each other. In the third round. 5th seeds Murray/Soares play 9th seeded Cuevas/Bopanna. On Day 7, 7th seeded Granollers/Dodig face off against the 11th Rojer/Tecau. By the middle Sunday we could have two seeds left. That's mind-blowing. <br /><br />When it comes to mixed doubles, Todd and I have a sort of loose agreement. He handles most of it and sometimes my two cents gets added in. Now how is it that the defending champions are not seeded, as well as the only other defending slam champions? How is it that two of the few pairs of actual champions do not get rewarded with a seed? It is beyond ridiculous.<br /><br />In fact, it goes beyond that. The scheduling, the wild cards, the seeding and the treatment of some of the players is ridiculous. The slam, so far from an organization point of view, gets an F-. And it is not any lower because Svetlana Kuznetsova is still in the draw. But she had better be on Chatrier at some point. The drama, the quality, the big names, those have all been really good. The slam is doing well in spite of itself. It needs to improve next year. This FFT guy has been put on the BACKSPIN wall of shame. The wall goes in increments. The further to the right, the more shame. So Guenter Parche goes at one end. Pam Shriver is quite far along, too. <br /><br /><em>An oldie but still a goodie:</em><br /><center><iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0SGKhh39_ak?ecver=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />Bernard Giudicelli has been placed upon the wall in a mutual BACKSPIN decision. He'll start on the left, but we're keeping an eye on him. Interestingly, the 'hand incident' from 2003 also features on the wall. It's quite a long wall and every so often Todd and I meet in the rhombus room to discuss it further. I still insist the original Dementieva serve be placed there, alongside the 2007 U.S. Open semi-final between Sveta and Chakvetadze. But I digress...<br /><br />It was a tale of two cities today. Rafael Nadal made a very good opponent look like, well, me. And Novak Djokovic looked a shadow of his former self. He complained to the line judge, and to the umpire, and he looked brittle. He and Murray both look like even the quarterfinals are a bridge too far. This is not a slam, this is a coronation. And not to jinx it, but if Nadal were to pose in his champions photo next to a former women's singles finalist, who's home country hosts another slam, well, this BACKSPINNER wouldn't be surprised.<br /><br /><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f77/backspinner/logogenerator5Cupl5C18419103160_764743.jpg"> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">CHATRIER:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">NADAL D. BASILASHVILI</span> <br />...It took Nikoloz Basilashvili 37 minutes to hit his first winner. He would go on to hit four more, to record a 5-34 mark on the winners count. But the thing is he didn't play badly. Yes, Rafa beat him 6-0, 6-1, 6-0. But it did at least last 90 minutes. And he stuck to his game plan. He hit out at the Spaniard. He was aggressive and kept knocking on Rafa's door. Nadal ground him down with sheer defense. Nadal saw him off with dogged determination from the back of the court. The Georgian is a natural shotmaker but was powerless here. Nadal conceded just 36 points during the 'contest'. It is remarkable watching a Nadal match. No other player in history has ever demoralised people in the way he does so regularly. It is Roberto Bautista Agut up next. And that is a challenge. Or as close as we are likely to get.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">CHATRIER:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">DJOKOVIC D. SCHWARTZMAN</span> <br />...It took him over three and a quarter hours to get past the pocket-size Argentine. Novak Djokovic hit 55 unforced errors and was pretty woeful for most of the match, but he won 5-7, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, 6-1. The last two sets he really showed his class, he proved that he still has the guts and the fortitude that the world number one should have. But with 12 breaks and over 110 combined misses in the match, this was not one for the spectators. There is no silver lining, no positive in this for Djokovic. Except, possibly, the embrace at the end of the match. He just looks vulnerable, just looks weak. It also proves that the Denis Istomin loss in Melbourne was not a one off. Two years ago when he beat Rafael Nadal, who was the defending champion, in the quarterfinals in straight sets, Nadal looked done. His career looked to be in its death throes. Now it is the other way around. If Nole does somehow make the semi-final date with Rafa he is going to be embarrassed. The hiring of Andre Agassi smacks of desperation. The former world number one looks panicked, lifeless and there for the taking. His next opponent, Albert Ramos Vinolas would have beaten him today. The Spaniard is more than just a tricky customer, he could be the straw that breaks the world number two's back. Should Novak lose that and Rafa win the tournament he will drop out of the top two. When was the last time that happened?<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">LENGLEN:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;"> ZEBALLOS D. GOFFIN</span> <br />...What a way to go out on the suicide. Just yesterday we were talking about injury, now this. David Goffin was serving for the first set at 5-4 when <a href=" https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/3709441/david-goffin-retires-injured-french-open-catching-his-ankle-tarpaulin/">this happened.</a><br /><br />It is another black mark on this French Open. A top ten player has been taken out of the tournament not by Dominic Thiem or another player, as he was seeded to do, but by a freak accident that could have been easily avoided. Zeballos goes through to the fourth round in his stead, and will face off against Thiem. For Goffin, the tragedy is that he might now lose his whole season. He has been denied by bad luck in his best slam. But how is he going to be able to fully compete at Wimbledon? There are no torn ligaments and none of the bones were broken. So the news is at least somewhat positive. But until further tests come through we really won't know any more.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">COURT TWO:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">RAMOS-VINOLAS D. POUILLE</span> <br />...Despite the ranking difference, the home crowd and the form, Pouille was defeated in a five set war by improved player of the year candidate Ramos-Vinolas. The Frenchman's flashy shots, big serve and reckless power hit a brick wall. A brick wall in the shape of the Spanish number three. He is a place behind Busta according to the projected rankings. ARV won 6-2, 3-6, 5-7, 6-2, 6-1. He broke twice as many [8-4] times and won 43 per cent of his opponent's service points. The rallies were long and grueling and by the 5th set the Frenchie had run out of gas. Roland Garros is one of the hardest slams to win because of how physically fit you have to be. And Pouille just didn't have the legs in the end.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">COURT THREE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">CARRENO BUSTA D. DIMITROV</span> <br />...Meet the new Spanish number two. Some very illustrious players have previously held that distinction. They include Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco. Oh, and David Ferrer. On paper this looks an upset. But, really, it isn't. The Spaniard is the better dirtballer and has more form right now. It would have been one of Dimitrov's better moments had he managed to beat the wily Spaniard. Busta got better as the match wore on, winning it 7-5, 6-3, 6-4. He hit 28 winners in the two hour, twenty minute match and was just metronomic, in true Tommy Robredo fashion. Dimitrov could not break down the wall, or find a way to think his way out of the bind. But can Busta apply that same tactic to Milos Raonic? Can he pile the pressure onto the top ten stalwart? With all the injuries and loss of form that the Canadian has suffered, the odds look good. It feels like the upset is on. Unless Thiem has something to say about it, we are headed for an all-Spanish clash in the semi-finals in the bottom half.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">OUTER COURT SELECTION:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">BAUTISTA AGUT D. VESELY</span> <br />...On a backcourt, promising young gun Jiri Vesely was taken to the woodshed. And we all know what happens there. You get a spanking. In two hours he taught the youngster what 'clay-court specialist' really means. He broke six times on the way to a 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 victory. He was 21-20 in the winners department, while his opponent sprayed 40 errors. Agut can always be counted on to 'consistent' his way to the fourth round of a slam. He is like the plot of an action film. No thrills, just a get the job done attitude. He plays Nadal next and, sadly for him, he does not have anywhere near the weaponry to defeat the soon to be ten time champion. But he will get at least 10 games against Nadal. How's that for a bold prediction? Meanwhile, for Vesely, this tournament has been a big positive. Two wins on his worst surface. He will be on the cusp of the top 50 going into his best slam. The French Open has got him into the right place to make a run in London.<br /><br />Thanks all and visit <a href="http://wtabackspin.blogspot.com">WTA BACKSPIN</a> please.</span>http://atpbackspin.blogspot.com/2017/06/french-open-day-6-tale-of-two-cities.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Todd.Spiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14702766.post-905254832103102849Fri, 02 Jun 2017 12:18:00 +00002017-07-04T01:41:03.349-04:00French Open Day 5: The Stanish Inquisition<center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Jt4H-2xxAWOdCRZH6CXiB7W3b3keXXmfO6NzkM4m5OyB7S7E7YM2JJnyf4rCL3FKSAHOvWxsrgVSd3mNLeQpV5ZXVcD3MmwZo-Z2vSqCMsqivx2fDjaQSpQBJ0FnXlWVNgisWnfgKID8Tpb-Xx5Rlu2O4n_ZM67WRuT_iOu5Cxk0aUAXkJbWVYdlBFJB3O5b5I_-Qp7t_ufJGJ4f7hL_nswEI4yNB0n2whvBBY0a3aEEt7nAmTVN2CuKPyXXZbThEpATgNrjdWl8ZVgPa8YRaOHUi0W03HS3M3P3yf9KpTG7CkvHqaJCOngKHRU1WWrB2xIUQf1ULLD7JqZbKXrDcbonniA4uh9LByGfVVNu7m3QgQAYCt05JLiTxiMibBArVVoi2B9AKCuyoSUDBQn-lNsbsMNbTgg_nigCWoiISpjkL1cjateePJclAyMSb4fvA78ZAgf36wuqEna0bM1N1wQkmI7Iyz91BXFa6A9hghNp3zLGxI7L-N1-ZNQSEt7SXGNHavQdQ9vOJwpV8b4A6JlKkl9Y91NLFCoSdnkHOcO2P8lv7MODwZwy3a2PJjdATs5_cCkq6PGHUt44PoQcFua9WjJNVflGnMneUMdxdki5OVP6sWTp=w398-h48-no"></center>Hey Y'all. Galileo here.<br /><br />The seeds <em>still</em> just keep tumbling in the men's doubles. Seeds 3-5, 7, 9, 11 and 16 are all that remain. We haven't even finished the second round there. It is a disaster. It also means that Marcelo Melo can retake the number one ranking. <br /><br />But put that aside because we have our moment of the championship. It has been an emotional one. We have had the Petra Kvitova story, which almost had me in tears. The hug she shared with her American conqueror tugged at the heart-strings. To watch Bethanie Mattek-Sands throw aside her racket to give Kvitova a big, really big, hug...<br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">?? Super come-back <a href="https://twitter.com/Petra_Kvitova">@Petra_Kvitova</a> ????<br />?<br />?? Super Perf&#39; <a href="https://twitter.com/BMATTEK">@BMATTEK</a> ????<br />= ?????? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Respect?src=hash">#Respect</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RG17?src=hash">#RG17</a> <a href="https://t.co/TDYywdYCc4">pic.twitter.com/TDYywdYCc4</a></p>&mdash; Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) <a href="https://twitter.com/rolandgarros/status/869887168340209670">May 31, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><span class="fullpost"><br /><br />Well, it makes one want to well up. This is the best defence against Margaret Court's vitriol. It is pure love and the very best our sport has to offer. Our sport is riddled with good sportsmanship, Ivan Lendl and Martina Hingis aside. <br /><br />We all remember this:<br /><br /><center><iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yyrALjicZnA?ecver=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />Yes, we've been in headlines for not so good reasons over the years, but on the whole there is a respect and admiration in the sport between the players that few other sports have. In modern times Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Grigor Dimitrov and JMDP have all been some of the best. Not for nothing is the Argentine called the gentle giant. <br /><br />On Day 5 he played Nico Almagro. We all know how hard he has worked to get back. We all know the difficulties he has faced with the injuries, the grinding on clay. With the score split at 6-3, 3-6, 1-1, Almagro went down and hurt his leg.<br /><br />He had to retire and Delpo comforted him. And if you have a friend who is good enough to have held you while you cried you will know why what the Argentine did is so special. Because comforting your opponent at their lowest low, when you know exactly what they are going through, is a beautiful, special thing. <br /><br /><center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/QLSlYWFYQd57YSooS6cEVYWIXTjV-hj09cNTm-JUizkUVNMm5SV8oGTZT1PoEJc_D_D7n1Por6vNuEjpbvaOx8BcP5oJ92xJ4Vp3D35NIp8tJljXW-lyCHlfF_U7qzeo1TqTgzCG7CZ7z6vqfLJZ7CeD11ldCNZA3UE-84iOzJgCu5jyUfBMgZvC7fISBTRVld4za4kCRkH4vxSe7LDBE7o9A91un15TS-o9j_0yhZpNMzjr9PjDYwSlBzJOm8GCB_3cxgVSP6_Wle7jGELIsPdahON1MwGtJoQEz1CdZkIDHwYWAcrUiAhn6wuqFQd1Y6BNeVAGAw8uBZJf9Xu_6IJQBJWkme4fLC-HODVQnyrKa3nVQRDacRDChx0FL3Bn3GKfLA_LJSvkvjh4C0kisUW-7ZrAgFFjTBQhalaAYiJM6Dw2s6ZoDEYurTKFPjxOhjJ5Yzh5SZgyvRbT7NGWJSP-78AwxBAvbUMhI-Myq-71gRIW1wpslcZD6fmHnOGuk3jZqzlOZM8jyf9NERU_DXlhJetttH6ofHBsIZFcZHLORyvPLCDFWEww_kYDZk9O2Jboeb1nRZGemRdGk1raDAVDtfoMUJ8lfB6JrcEVJFYpyOK30DKH=w420-h263-no"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W_J_m_xdHTZNAzks-_a4w07k1TC6d-WUMrLkSh9O3kobfGzknolQ6rtDI9E8dtwBpcbdbxn87HEKWYi2PsXjCelKU1zGjdtGk5QVLRWfjSJrxPalbQrEpSvUak2xIp7ZuIOhzDiBQU-ZBv_CCkGDDb8TvbCRbCM-A7dGpkP3noeS31RlNSt-yPNSydAoCg3UNOxWIMwBB-hVOpjuhTY05TT3gypXc1LM1_q_kWyPyzJUwOv8fhqkv2kftiq5U114VZdQ0IGipK9PN1ApKOHsp09mFBtJLX0HlPAHg1ochwHBkjujOJ4oYvHrGxHS4qtor1gmRECxTMW7GEIaZSohXOXV0wbqt9x2DhQ-NRyp7pvABYOfI-D1In2eF4ly5jc6pijqTrvhVGCKlowuDgSabA9B6YxW25wIKzHYoilD7TwwRvYH48NOmmVbVKAguIzWtD4QZCPtPeZUkWGMdq6V3CkcR6NWWPkACbItkrzOpTE_gF5q-iKOFagUZFT8A9mZpdcMZlCj8W9ApkBwZ9lABMsC2feEQ78hLSFPvJcNjVfivXIkb8xO624z60krleuLzpphroQR1bI6M-ZPRmR-d3wbBHMMvYTaqkhUm-BgY8F2sOwXjcX=w420-h315-no"></center><br />Here's the video:<br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Huge amount of heart from <a href="https://twitter.com/delpotrojuan">@DelPotroJuan</a> at <a href="https://twitter.com/rolandgarros">@RolandGarros</a>.??<br />???? Nicolas Almagro (knee) forced to retire v. ???? JM Del Potro.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RolandGarros2017?src=hash">#RolandGarros2017</a> <a href="https://t.co/DvzjYaatft">pic.twitter.com/DvzjYaatft</a></p>&mdash; Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) <a href="https://twitter.com/TennisChannel/status/870268313720438784">June 1, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /><br />And it is reminiscent of this:<br /><br /><center><iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RYHmaVMG_N8?ecver=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>"></center><br />Today we celebrate tennis. We celebrate how beautiful our sport is. And how injury, at the end of it all, is the ultimate enemy. It has claimed the careers of Del Potro, Robin Soderling, Pat Cash, Mary Pierce, Monica Seles and so many others. If, as it looks, that is the last time we see the Spaniard on court, it will be a sad end to a remarkable career. We can only hope he has another title run in him.<br /><br />The mood may be heavy, but we still have matches to talk about...<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#B22222;">MS 1st Rd: Lopez d. [q] Fratangelo {W}<br />MS 2nd Rd: Albert Ramos Vinolas d. Benjamin Bonzi {W}<br />MS 3rd Rd: David Goffin d. Horacio Zeballos {L}<br />== <br />WS 1st Rd: Jankovic d. Hogenkamp {L}</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f77/backspinner/logogenerator5Cupl5C18419103160_764743.jpg"> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">CHATRIER:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">STAN WAWRINKA</span> <br />...The Stanish inquisition kept on rolling. Seriously, when do you ever see him coming? The press never talk about him. You don't. For Goolagong's sake, not even I talk about Wawrinka. The guy who has won three [THREE] slams. The guy who makes semi-finals consistently. The Swiss number one. It's like when a pickpocket takes your wallet. You don't notice until it's too late. How many times have you been watching a slam semi with Wawrinka and not have any clue how he got there? He played Alex Dolgopolov and was in total control throughout. He won 6-4, 7-6[5], 7-5. It took just two and a half hours to get rid of the most dangerous floater in the draw. And you wonder how he did that. He only won 14 more points - he hit 16 aces to Dolgopolov's six. If he hadn't had such a good serving day they would have won an almost identical amount of points. It's about playing and winning the right points. There may not be a better slam player right now. Now you can watch him make me look stupid - he plays Fabio Fognini next.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">CHATRIER:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">MONFILS D. MONTEIRO</span> <br />...Yes, Gael Monfils won 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 but it was still a match. Thiago Monteiro threw the kitchen sink, several cupboards, a sack of flour, Donna Reed and Gordon Ramsay at La Monf! Sadly it was all in vain, all for nought. He hit just 14 winners. And that was all down to the solid defense of Monfils. His bend-don't-break philosophy, yes that does work on two levels, frustrated his opponent into submission. By the time set three rolled around his opponent had had enough. Gael goes through in 91 minutes. It is typical Monfils to turn up to a slam with no form and several previous injuries and then go on a run. Can Gasquet pose more of a problem in the third round?<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">LENGLEN:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">MURRAY D. KLIZAN</span> <br />....More weird scheduling. The world number one playing a flashy player is a draw card. And Martin Klizan actually turned up. He played superb tennis. Muzza won in the end, 6-7[3], 6-2, 6-2, 7-6[3]. In that first set, Klizan came out all guns blazing, and knocked Murray for six. He got an early break but could not close out the set when he served for it at 5-4. He clung on and won in the breaker, hitting 20 winners and 20 errors during the set. But Muzza slowly took control and broke early in the next set, with a couple of fortunate shots, including one shank that turned into a ludicrously short angle. Once he won the second, Klizan threw both sets to reserve energy for the 4th . And he nearly had the Scot in the fourth, but he couldn't quite get over the hump. So our world number one scraped through in three and a half hours. Had he gone five he would have won the tournament. As it stands, it is looking shaky. He plays Del Potro next. That's got classic written all over it. Can Murray improve his shaky form?<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">COURT TWO:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">GASQUET D. ESTRELLA BURGOS</span> <br />...They used to say that Steffi Graf played like she was double parked. Well, Ritchie Gasquet didn't hang around as he dispatched the Dominican 6-1, 6-0, 6-4. It took him an hour and forty minutes, but he is looking good, peaking at the right time. He broke six times and won 70 per cent of his opponent's second serves. Quito is the one tournament that Burgos always wins. This may be the same surface, but it is 5811.88 miles away from Burgos' favourite capital. Richard Gasquet is playing top ten tennis and his clash with compatriot Gael Monfils is a must-watch. Neither came in with any kind of expectations, but it seems like that match is destined to go five. And they must know each other's games by now.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">COURT THREE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">ANDERSON D. KYRGIOS</span> <br />...When Nick Kyrgios' mind goes, it doesn't just go a little bit. It completely shatters. That is the sole reason Kevin Anderson won 5-7, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2. We have been here before and discussed it. <a href="http://wwos.nine.com.au/2017/06/02/06/25/nick-kyrgios-obliterates-two-racquets-in-second-round-french-open-loss-to-kevin-anderson">Here</a> is the video.<br /><br />The South African will rise 11 places to 45. With a solid result at Wimbledon he could be seed in New York. Next up, he plays Kyle Edmund. He should win that. So opportunity beckons. Honestly, though, this BACKSPINNER is so sick of talking about matches where Kyrgios misbehaves. You know who was good for the tour - Andy Roddick. Man, BACKSPIN misses that guy. He wasn't around quite long enough for him to become a BACKSPIN favourite, but he really made the tour a more positive place. He and Lleyton Hewitt played the role of elder statesman so well. He was just a funny guy who made things more light-hearted without being a total idiot. In a similar way to how TODD INSERT WTA PLAYER HERE <span style="font-weight; color:#B22222;">[Hmmm, JJ, maybe? <em>Though some may disagree.</em> Vinci?]</span> did. Anyway, Kyrgios is a synonym for a mule and Anderson is playing for his career in the next round.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">OUTER COURT SELECTION:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">KHACHENOV D. BERDYCH</span><br />...BACKSPIN has been proved correct. Karen Khachenov is going to be an essential piece, a keystone, of the future. On a sadder note, Berdman's career is deep into its twilight. The Russian was too good everywhere for the 2010 semi-finalist. The Czech looked tired while the youthful Russian was invigorated. It only took him just over two hours to dispatch Berdych 7-5, 6-4, 6-4. 51 winners to 27 and three breaks. He never faced a single break point himself. The only area he needs to work on is his first serve. If you only get 47 per cent in against Murray or Djokovic, you will be toast. The Russian now plays John Isner. It is a huge opportunity for him. If he gets to the fourth round the top 40 would beckon. For a 21 year old, that is an impressive ranking.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><br /><br />If I may just leave you with this:<br /><br /><center><iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bUMgAv2PAYc?ecver=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br /><br />Thanks all and visit <a href="http://wtabackspin.blogspot.com">WTA BACKSPIN</a> please.</span>http://atpbackspin.blogspot.com/2017/06/french-open-day-5-stanish-inquisition.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Todd.Spiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14702766.post-8598221372294078488Thu, 01 Jun 2017 16:51:00 +00002017-07-04T01:41:15.120-04:00French Open Day 4: A Good Day<center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Jt4H-2xxAWOdCRZH6CXiB7W3b3keXXmfO6NzkM4m5OyB7S7E7YM2JJnyf4rCL3FKSAHOvWxsrgVSd3mNLeQpV5ZXVcD3MmwZo-Z2vSqCMsqivx2fDjaQSpQBJ0FnXlWVNgisWnfgKID8Tpb-Xx5Rlu2O4n_ZM67WRuT_iOu5Cxk0aUAXkJbWVYdlBFJB3O5b5I_-Qp7t_ufJGJ4f7hL_nswEI4yNB0n2whvBBY0a3aEEt7nAmTVN2CuKPyXXZbThEpATgNrjdWl8ZVgPa8YRaOHUi0W03HS3M3P3yf9KpTG7CkvHqaJCOngKHRU1WWrB2xIUQf1ULLD7JqZbKXrDcbonniA4uh9LByGfVVNu7m3QgQAYCt05JLiTxiMibBArVVoi2B9AKCuyoSUDBQn-lNsbsMNbTgg_nigCWoiISpjkL1cjateePJclAyMSb4fvA78ZAgf36wuqEna0bM1N1wQkmI7Iyz91BXFa6A9hghNp3zLGxI7L-N1-ZNQSEt7SXGNHavQdQ9vOJwpV8b4A6JlKkl9Y91NLFCoSdnkHOcO2P8lv7MODwZwy3a2PJjdATs5_cCkq6PGHUt44PoQcFua9WjJNVflGnMneUMdxdki5OVP6sWTp=w398-h48-no"></center>Hey Y'all. Galileo here.<br /><br />The seeds just keep tumbling in the men's draw. Herbert/Mahut lost to Nick Kyrgios and Jordan Thompson 7-6[8], 4-6, 6-3. Abigail Spears and Juan Sebastian Cabal just won the Australian Open mixed. They didn't lose a set. Did they get a seed here? No. They landed the top seeded Peers/Y.Chan and beat them 6-4, 6-2. The mixed doubles seeding system needs a revamp.<span class="fullpost"><br /><br />And we have big news in Dasha Gavrilova's corner of the world. She and A-Pavs beat out 4th seeded Sania Mirza and Yaroslava Shvedova. They won 7-6[5], 1-6, 6-2. It is a remarkable victory against a great team. <span style="font-weight; color:#B22222;">[Ed.note: individually, yes... but together they've gone 2-4 this spring, and have lost three straight. I'm just sayin'. - tds]</span><br /><br />The day started with a lot of raw emotion. Renzo Olivo had already served for the match the evening before, against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. But he couldn't get over the line and, for no good reason, the umpire called the match in with the Frenchman on the brink. Tsonga comes out to serve down 4-5. And he makes three errors. Down 0-40, he strings together three immaculate points, all a combination of defense and offense. He saves them all, the last one with a swashbuckling smash. At deuce, he makes it four points in a row. But on game point Olivo stops the point...and the ball is out. Another Tsonga error. And then a spectacular match point is concluded with a flurry of blows which eventually see one last Olivo winner decide the match. <br /><br />When a day starts like that you know it's going to be good. <br /><br />Then we had the Stevie Johnson match. On match point, against Borna Coric he missed a volley and hit the ball in mild frustration. Totally innocent, nothing aggressive or malicious about it. But this is Roland Garros and a very poor piece of umpiring saw him docked a point. Eventually he got into a fourth set breaker. And, after saving several set points, he finally won it on a big forehand. <br /><br />Whereupon he burst into tears at the net, as he mourned the death of his father. While he was having a Pete Sampras movement, Coric was smashing rackets and water bottles all over the place. It was the most incredible match.<br /><br />And that isn't all. More seeds tumbled. There was more drama. Let's see what else happened. How did the big names fare?<br /><br />Match to look forward to tomorrow: Andy Murray versus Martin Klizan. Klizan has already had a handshake incident, in the first round. <br /><br />And I'm just going to leave this here. I agree with Martina. <br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Exclusive: An open letter from Martina Navratilova to Margaret Court Arena <a href="https://t.co/7Ayfev6nz8">https://t.co/7Ayfev6nz8</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/SMHsport">@SMHsport</a></p>&mdash; smh.com.au (@smh) <a href="https://twitter.com/smh/status/870108904050610176">June 1, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#B22222;">MS 1st Rd: Lopez d. [q] Fratangelo {W}<br />MS 2nd Rd: Albert Ramos Vinolas d. Benjamin Bonzi {W}<br />MS 3rd Rd: <br />== <br />WS 1st Rd: Jankovic d. Hogenkamp {L}</span><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f77/backspinner/logogenerator5Cupl5C18419103160_764743.jpg"> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">CHATRIER:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">NADAL D. HAASE</span> <br />...Rafa beat Haase 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. It wasn't even that close. Throughout the whole match the Netherlands star decided to sit back and refuse to be aggressive. This tactic never works against Nadal, not on any surface. And on clay? Well, then you're just asking for trouble. He gave Nadal an opportunity to dominate, to take control of the match. And Rafa was only too happy to do so. The tactics were all wrong and it crumbled from there on out. His forehand was effective but he was never able to use it consistently and effectively. He never even got to see a break point. But Nadal did break him five times. Impressive, no? Nadal hit 33 winners in the hour and 49 minute contest, and looked nigh on unstoppable. If he and Novak Djokovic do meet in the semi-final that could, and should, be the match of the year. Nadal is looking ominously good. It won't be long before he and a certain Russia lady are posing together. <span style="font-weight; color:#B22222;">[Ed.note: watch it, now, you don't want to invoke The Curse.]</span><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">CHATRIER:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">DJOKOVIC D SOUSA</span> <br />...Sousa had lost six matches in a row before Roland Garros. Another fun fact is that Andre Agassi's middle name is Kirk. Oh, and Ivo Karlovic's dad is a weatherman. Well, in today's whine and moan about the schedule, why was one defending champion on Chatrier, but not the other? The defending champions should both be on the top court. Every time. Especially if they're a top four seed. Anyway, this looked tougher on paper than it ever turned out to be, though it wasn't for want of trying. The Portuguese man pushed it over two hours, but apart from that it was a whitewash. The 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 scoreline is honestly generous. Nole was broken. He hit 24 errors and he won only 49 per cent of his second serve. Those are three areas upon which he can improve.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">LENGLEN:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">THIEM D. BOLELLI</span> <br />...Credit has to go to the Italian here. Despite losing in two and a half hours 7-5, 6-1, 6-3, he played hard the whole time. He led by a break in the first. He didn't even go away in the third set. No, Simone Bolelli hung on for as long as possible, denying Thiem the break for as long as he could. But the Austrian would not be denied and sealed it with an ace, called good on an overrule. It was not challenged by the Italian. He'd had enough. If you'd lost the winners battle by 42-18, well, you would probably give up, too. The rallies were good in this match, with Bolelli's forehand an absolute weapon. But the Austrian has about a thousand weapons. And he just rolled them out. The Italian doesn't have those upper gears. Thiem moves on to play his first seed, number 25 Stevie Johnson. The American is good enough to take a set but Domi Thiem is looking imperious right now, having dropped just 15 games in two matches.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">COURT TWO:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">GOFFIN D. STAKHOVSKY</span> <br />...You're correct, the courts are in a funny order today. Well, blame the French. It's always worth checking in with David Goffin. Well, the Belgian has defeated Serg Stakhovsky 6-2, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. Two and a half hours. Four breaks to one. It was really very straightforward. Goffin is as dependable as a pendulum. But Domi Thiem has to be on his mind, at least a little bit.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">CHATRIER:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">POUILLE D. BELUCCI</span> <br />...It was a tight first set, but once that was over so was the match. Pouille uppsed his game and won going away 7-6[5], 6-1, 6-2. In the two hour contest there were a remarkable 15 double faults. It was the kind of match the crowd could really get into, with a Frenchman playing and the array of fabulous shot-making that both of them can produce. And you know why that match is down here? Because it deserves to be. Dominika Cibulkova, who has never been to a final here, was on a show court. These guys were on Chatrier. But former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, with the best set of weapons in the whole draw, who has been to seven quarterfinals here and won it before, and who was playing a Frenchwoman was relegated to the bottom slot of court one. The whole Roland Garros scheduling matrix is totally whacko. Anyway, Bellucci, much like in his career, faded badly down the stretch here. He showed so much promise in his younger days, but that's all gone now. You just can't hit 39 errors in three sets. The Frenchie now plays Albert Ramos-Vinolas. That has five written all over it and the Frenchman may not be the favourite.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">OUTER COURT SELECTION:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">BAUTISTA AGUT D. KUKUSHKIN</span> <br />...The Spaniard just keeps on going at slams. Never noticed, never appreciated, but always there. The Spaniard managed to bore another victim to death yesterday. He ground out the Kazakhstani in just short of three hours, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6[3]. The 17th seed is really a top 12 guy. He has regressed a tad this year, but you can still expect good things from him this slam. The win over a tricky opponent is more evidence that he is ready to make a splash at the slam. His third round clash with Jiri Vesely will be one to watch. And the winner gets Rafa. That is some prize.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><br /><br />Thanks all and visit <a href="http://wtabackspin.blogspot.com">WTA BACKSPIN</a> please.</span>http://atpbackspin.blogspot.com/2017/06/french-open-day-4-good-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Todd.Spiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14702766.post-6666234667435683854Wed, 31 May 2017 21:30:00 +00002017-07-04T01:46:16.313-04:00French Open Days 2-3: Down Goes Zverev!<center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Jt4H-2xxAWOdCRZH6CXiB7W3b3keXXmfO6NzkM4m5OyB7S7E7YM2JJnyf4rCL3FKSAHOvWxsrgVSd3mNLeQpV5ZXVcD3MmwZo-Z2vSqCMsqivx2fDjaQSpQBJ0FnXlWVNgisWnfgKID8Tpb-Xx5Rlu2O4n_ZM67WRuT_iOu5Cxk0aUAXkJbWVYdlBFJB3O5b5I_-Qp7t_ufJGJ4f7hL_nswEI4yNB0n2whvBBY0a3aEEt7nAmTVN2CuKPyXXZbThEpATgNrjdWl8ZVgPa8YRaOHUi0W03HS3M3P3yf9KpTG7CkvHqaJCOngKHRU1WWrB2xIUQf1ULLD7JqZbKXrDcbonniA4uh9LByGfVVNu7m3QgQAYCt05JLiTxiMibBArVVoi2B9AKCuyoSUDBQn-lNsbsMNbTgg_nigCWoiISpjkL1cjateePJclAyMSb4fvA78ZAgf36wuqEna0bM1N1wQkmI7Iyz91BXFa6A9hghNp3zLGxI7L-N1-ZNQSEt7SXGNHavQdQ9vOJwpV8b4A6JlKkl9Y91NLFCoSdnkHOcO2P8lv7MODwZwy3a2PJjdATs5_cCkq6PGHUt44PoQcFua9WjJNVflGnMneUMdxdki5OVP6sWTp=w398-h48-no"></center>Hey Y'all. Galileo here.<br /><br />First things first. Kissing anyone when they don't want it is only acceptable in bedroom situations agreed upon by both parties beforehand. Apart from that, just try to avoid it. Tennis needs to quit it with these headlines now. First Margaret Court, who Andy Murray ironically criticised, and now this. Even the French are pretty shocked.<span class="fullpost"><br /><br />In the men's doubles the top seeds, Henri Kontinen and John Peers lost to David Marrero and Tommy Robredo 7-6[3], 6-3. In that same quarter, Julio Peralta and Horacio Zeballos beat the defending champions, the Lopez's, 6-2, 6-3. There are going to be more shocks along the way. Men's doubles used to be fairly consistent. Even ten years ago it was fairly reliable. Now it is a mess. The talent is there, the personalities are there and so are the storylines. But a lack of raw star power, popularity in general, and lack of consistency is causing problems. <br /><br />Mixed doubles is one of my favourite 'sports' in the world and it too does not get the attention it deserves. Tennis really needs to sell doubles better. But it is difficult when the stars crash out in the first round. <br /><br />In other news, Nick Kyrgios survived his many injuries and looked good in his straight sets win over Philipp Kohlschreiber. He fired 20 aces in the 6-3, 7-6[3], 6-3 win. Tomas Berdych and Gael Monfils also went through. <br /><br />And a BACKSPIN favourite did, as well. Hyeon Chung caused an 'upset' by beating Sam Querrey, seeded 27th, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. He broke the American six times and won in two and a quarter hours. With an ailing Kei Nishikori in his section and some other big upsets in round one, the quarterfinals could beckon for the South Korean. If he can keep it together physically and mentally. <br /><br />Well, let's see what else happened. How did the big names fare?...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#B22222;">MS 1st Rd: Lopez d. [q] Fratangelo {W}<br />MS 2nd Rd: Ramos Vinolas d. Benjamin Bonzi<br />== <br />WS 1st Rd: Jankovic d. Hogenkamp {L}</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f77/backspinner/logogenerator5Cupl5C18419103160_764743.jpg"> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">CHATRIER:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">VERDASCO D. A.ZVEREV</span> <br />...There it is. The big upset. The German has learned a tough lesson. Sometimes you just get a landmine early in a slam. He played well. He had a decent match. Perhaps the interruption, the break in play, affected him more than was immediately apparent. Maybe Verdasco was too good. The Spaniard's forehand was particularly venomous. In a way, Alex Zverev didn't really see it coming. He went down 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 in ten minutes under three hours. No aces for Ferver in the match, which is extraordinary. He also won just 60 per cent of his first serve points. Combined the pair of them were 50-99 on the winners count. Ouch. It had a lot of good rallies, with both peppering the baseline. Zverev's positioning was all over the place for much of it. Had he just taken three steps forward he might have gotten past him. So one of my picks is a bust. Easy come, easy go. The win gives the Spaniard a path through to the quarters, maybe even further. He plays P-H Herbert next. But with Nishikori and Murray the biggest seeds in his quarter a semi-final is on the cards. If he can maintain his current level.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">CHATRIER:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">DJOKOVIC D GRANOLLERS</span> <br />...Sometimes matches look on paper as if they will be closer than they really are. This was one of them. Marcel Granollers could not muster much resistance, though he did drag it out to two and a half hours. In the end, Novak was too strong in a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 rout. No it wasn't perfect. It was a bit rusty. The winners ratio was only 30-29. Nole struggled to find his feet, but being the defending champ seemed to give him a real boost. But the best players always find a way to win. They just know how. Nole moves on, while Granollers goes onto the men's <br />doubles.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">CHATRIER:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">MURRAY D. KUZNETSOV</span> <br />...The world number one has had better days. Andrey Kuznetsov has improved massively. He had a very good under the radar year in 2016. He is a tricky player who can nick nets off even the very best. But Muzza didn't look good at all in the 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 6-0 win. He lost his serve four times and hit only 29 winners during the four set match. He relied on his defence, which his opponent was unable to break through. Considering the second set was a bit of a blip, the Scot actually had a very good match. He has other challenges coming up, like Klizan and the 2009 U.S. Open Champion. That third round match has to happen. It has classic potential. Fueled, of course, by the testy relationship and how much is on the line. The Russian had an unfortunate draw. He can now look to Wimbledon.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">LENGLEN:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">NADAL D. PAIRE</span> <br />...Roland Garros does not like Rafael Nadal. The crowd boo him. The organisers have always tried to mess with him. For his first round clash, with FRENCHMAN Benoit Paire, the NINE TIME CHAMPION was put on Suzanne Lenglen. What a rubbish decision. What a terrible, stupid, decision. The same guy who refused Maria Sharapova a wild card no doubt had a hand in this. With all of Paire's prodigious skill and Frenchness... and you put this on the second court. Boo hiss! Anyway, Rafa didn't even need two hours to win 6-1, 6-4, 6-1. Nadal didn't even play out of skin, hitting 18 errors and losing serve twice, but if that match is Rafa not quite at his best, well, it's going to be easy work for Rafa coming up. Paire tried his best to play spoiler.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">LENGLEN:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">WAWRINKA D. KOVALIK</span> <br />..At his third best slam, the Swiss man kicked off his camapign with a very straightforward 6-2, 7-6[6], 6-3 win. His opponent, playing with nothing to lose, threw the kitchen sink at our third seed, but it was in vain. The former champion, and slam guru, knew how to handle the situtation though. He went 38-33 on the winners to errors ratio. He battened down the hatches and when he won a very tight second set the match was all over. Stan, resplendent in an eyecatching blue shirt, was able to see off the almighty ponytail. His next two opponents are going to be Alex Dolgopolov and then Andreas Seppi or Fabio Fognini. So it's about to get a lot harder. That Dolgopolov clash has to be on Chatrier.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">OUTER COURT SELECTION:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">NISHIKORI D. KOKKINAKIS</span> <br />...Faced with a tough first round, Kei Nishikori responded well. You get the feeling he's always on borrowed time at a slam because he can't keep healthy. If he can actually get onto the court and playing, he is very effective. He showed it in round one against Kokkinakis, winning 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4. Koko went 41-41 on the winners count and showed off his immense talent. If his recent results and play are anything to go by, his comeback could yield some very juice fruit. Kei Nishikori looks good and, if he can keep his body from breaking, could go very far here. If he can survive Jeremy Chardy in round two he will face Hyeon Chung for the first time. The winner will be the king of Asia.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><br /><br />Thanks all and visit <a href="http://wtabackspin.blogspot.com">WTA BACKSPIN</a> please.</span>http://atpbackspin.blogspot.com/2017/05/french-open-days-2-3-down-goes-zverev.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Todd.Spiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14702766.post-4750643661563776054Tue, 30 May 2017 16:57:00 +00002017-05-30T12:59:23.434-04:00Wk.21- The Lost Week is Found<center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Jt4H-2xxAWOdCRZH6CXiB7W3b3keXXmfO6NzkM4m5OyB7S7E7YM2JJnyf4rCL3FKSAHOvWxsrgVSd3mNLeQpV5ZXVcD3MmwZo-Z2vSqCMsqivx2fDjaQSpQBJ0FnXlWVNgisWnfgKID8Tpb-Xx5Rlu2O4n_ZM67WRuT_iOu5Cxk0aUAXkJbWVYdlBFJB3O5b5I_-Qp7t_ufJGJ4f7hL_nswEI4yNB0n2whvBBY0a3aEEt7nAmTVN2CuKPyXXZbThEpATgNrjdWl8ZVgPa8YRaOHUi0W03HS3M3P3yf9KpTG7CkvHqaJCOngKHRU1WWrB2xIUQf1ULLD7JqZbKXrDcbonniA4uh9LByGfVVNu7m3QgQAYCt05JLiTxiMibBArVVoi2B9AKCuyoSUDBQn-lNsbsMNbTgg_nigCWoiISpjkL1cjateePJclAyMSb4fvA78ZAgf36wuqEna0bM1N1wQkmI7Iyz91BXFa6A9hghNp3zLGxI7L-N1-ZNQSEt7SXGNHavQdQ9vOJwpV8b4A6JlKkl9Y91NLFCoSdnkHOcO2P8lv7MODwZwy3a2PJjdATs5_cCkq6PGHUt44PoQcFua9WjJNVflGnMneUMdxdki5OVP6sWTp=w398-h48-no"></center>Hey, all. Galileo here. <br /><br />We're going to have a lightning run through the past week, a half-pint really, and see what happened on the continent. <br /><br />Tennis is in an interesting place right now. Of the top four players, in only one of them does anyone have any kind of faith. The best player in the world right now played Pete Sampras before he won his last major.<span class="fullpost"><br /><br />And Margaret Court has stepped in it again. A product of her time and of devoutness, while her comments are not welcome in our sport, she is not evil. She has said unfortunate things. She has attacked Casey Dellacqua and many others. She has caused upset. This BACKSPINNER, for one, supports the boycott, like Sam Stosur, but whether Todd feels the same is up to him. <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#B22222;">[Ed.Note: hmmm, I support the notion, but whether it can be pulled off within the bounds of a slam schedule might be tricky. It would have to take a unified effort <em>before</em> the event with the players themselves, and possibly cooperation with Tennis Australia regarding the schedule, too. <em>And we've seen over the past year how well players and organizations support each other in the sport... not all that well most of the time.</em> The 2018 AO is a long way off, and I wouldn't be surprised if, by then, some sort of protest might take on a more subtle form, much like Laura Robson's rainbow headband <a href="https://twitter.com/HistoryOfTennis/status/867875423241338882">when she played on MCA in 2012</a>. - tds]</span><br /><br />We condemn her actions. And we're moving on. <br /><br />The one problem with the Sunday start at Roland Garros is that it is hard to focus on the week before. It is kind of left behind. We had some great action and a title defense. But it feels so long ago because a new and exciting slam has started. We had tournaments in France and Switzerland. Yes it is usually folly to play the week before a slam, but if you can get momentum, get some match wins under your belt, suddenly it seems smart. Stan Wawrinka decided to defend the title he won last year in his home country. <br /><br />Before we do talk about the exciting developments in Switzerland, here is a little gem from Paris:<br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">?<br /><br />This <a href="https://twitter.com/M_Granollers">@M_Granollers</a> around-the-net shot was definitely worthy of a Djokovic high five. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RG17?src=hash">#RG17</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZJV3zu2Iha">pic.twitter.com/ZJV3zu2Iha</a></p>&mdash; Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) <a href="https://twitter.com/rolandgarros/status/869182078910427137">May 29, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <br /><br />Let's read on and find out more about Geneva amongst other things... <br /><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f77/backspinner/655497186_439441.gif?t=1348865096"></center><br /><center><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">*WEEK 21 CHAMPIONS*</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#B22222;">GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (Red Clay)</span><br /><em>S: <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#48D1CC;">Stan Wawrinka def. Mischa Zverev 4-6/6-3/6-3</span><br />D: <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#48D1CC;">Rojer/Tecau d. Cabal/Farah</span></em><br /><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#B22222;">LYON, FRANCE (Red Clay)</span><br /><em>S: <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#48D1CC;">Jo-Wilfried Tsonga def. Tomas Berdych 7-6(2)/7-5</span><br />D: <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#48D1CC;">Molteni/Shamasdin d. Daniell/Demoliner</span></em></center><br /><br /><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f77/backspinner/logogenerator5Cupl5C18419103160_764743.jpg"> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">PLAYER OF THE WEEK:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">JO-WILFRIED TSONGA, FRA</span><br />...In the inaugural Lyon tournament, the top seeded Frenchman has triumphed. Yes, this tournament has replaced the one in Nice. Jo-W opened his campaign against wily veteran Carlos Berlocq. Never an easy customer to deal with, the Argentine made life difficult early on. Jo's level rose throughout the match, eventually winning going away 6-7[2], 6-2, 6-3. He blew up talented Russian Karen Khachanov next, winning that one 6-0, 6-4. Nikoloz Basilashvili couldn't live with Tsonga for three sets, and went down 2-6, 6-3, 1-6. But he bounced back in fine style this week and ousted Gilles Simon in the first round of the French Open. Tsonga, helped by 14 aces, rolled through to the next round. In his first ever clay court final, he was fantastic. He manhandled Tomas Berdych in a 7-6[5], 7-5 win. Tsonga has won two of their three meetings this year, though the Czech leads the head-to-head 8-5. It was a third win from three finals this year for the joyous native. Serving at 4-5 and 15-40, it looked like the Frenchie was in trouble. But he won four points in a row and slowly took control of the set. A 4-0 lead in the breaker proved unassailable. In the second set, it was serve that ruled the roost. Finally, in the 12th game, Berdie's serve faltered. He double-faulted on match point to hand the match away. Can you believe it? What a wimpy whisper to go out on. <br /><br />So, two extraordinary stats: 42 of 46 service games held from Tsonga and, at age 32, a maiden final and victory in a final played on the dirt. Can he carry that momentum into a slam where he has made the semis before?<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">RISER:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">STAN WAWRINKA, SUI</span> <br />...Wawrinka is the ATP's biggest quandary. He is unplayable at his very best but he can never seem to get there. Every year he makes two slam semi-finals, wins three titles and has a handful of shocking losses. It always feels like he has had a bum year, but what he has actually done is build a Hall-of-Fame worthy career. Nikolay Davydenko. David Nalbandian. Juan Martin Del Potro. Lleyton Hewitt. Andy Roddick. Ivan Ljubicic. All these players failed to consistently break open the top four. Only one of them ever won a slam during the height of the quad-opoly's empire. They were all top four mainstays and they all had victories along the way. But the manner in which Wawrinka has been able to dispatch them at slams and other big events is mind-blowing. He is 3-0 in slam finals. Three different arenas. He has never lost more than a set in a final. His four set come from behind victory against Djokovic two years ago in Roland Garros is one of the most extraordinary matches of the century so far. He was a huge underdog. Djokovic was going for the grand slam. And the Swiss took him apart, shot by shot, point by point, game by game. And Djokovic played well. He played a good match. It is important to remind our selves of what he can do, seeing as we are on the cusp of a slam. In true Wawrinka style, it did not all go to plan the week before. Defending his title in Geneva, he won his first match via retirement, Rogerio Dutra Silva pulling out down 5-2. He came back to beat Querrey 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 in the quarters. He beat Andrey Kuznetsov 6-3, 7-6[4] to make his second final of the year. In the finals he got the better of qualifier Zverev 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. He is now 12-2 in his last 14 tour finals. …..<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">FRESH FACE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">JOAO DOMINIGUES, POR</span> <br />...I get it. You're thinking, "Who?" Well, the whole point of this award is to bring to your attention those who you might not otherwise notice. At last week's Venice challenger he won one of the bigest titles of his career. With the win he has risen to 176 in the world, a career high. He is 23 and has absolutely bizarre strokes. No, really. He nearly beat Kevin Anderson earlier in the year. <br /><br /><center><iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r2p9RNUrnBU?ecver=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />Look at the backhand in particular. Whether or not being that unorthodox will actually help is yet to be seen. But he is an interesting prospect and could be very effective on clay. During his run in Venice he beat Matteo Viola and fellow up-and-comer Blake Mott.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">VETERAN:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">KEVIN ANDERSON, RSA</span> <br />...One of the ATP's more low-key comebacks, the South African has carved out a very solid career. The former world number ten made another quarterfinal in Geneva this past week. He beat Lorenzi in the first round 7-5, 7-6[1]. He recovered from losing a lengthy tiebreaker to beat Jared Donaldson in the next round, 6-3, 6-7[7], 6-2. He even had three match points against second seed Nishikori, but lost 6-2, 4-6, 6-7[7]. It was another encouraging week for the now world number 56. His most successful slams have been the two in the back-half of the year, so he is rounding into form at the right time.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">SURPRISE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">NIKOLOZ BASILASHVILI, GEO</span><br />...A great run from Nikoloz here. He beat Borna Coric 6-4, 5-7, 6-4. He knocked off Seppi 6-4, 6-4. He brushed aside qualifier Nicolas Kicker 6-3, 6-1. His run was finally ended by Tsonga, but a quarterfinal run, especially against opposition of that calibre, is impressive nonetheless.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">DOWN:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">MILOS RAONIC, CAN</span> <br />...A quarterfinal result as the top seed is always a little disappointing. Why was Raonic, with his history of injuries, playing at all? The French Open was beckoning. He had some good results under his belt already. He was looking alright and had a great seed. It was pointless. Poor decision, poor result. If he loses in Paris he can only blame himself.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">UPSET:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">MISCHA ZVEREV, GER</span> <br />...It is harder to tell which of the ATP's German brothers has inspired the other more. Certainly Alex's rise to the top has helped his older brother. His slow ascension to the pinnacle of the tennis world is a great story that should be admired by all. And it is clearly being taken to heart by journeyman Mischa Zverev. His quarterfinal run has shown us the art of volleying is not dead, not yet. After qualifying, where he was the top seed, he beat Haase 5-7, 7-6[6], 6-3 in the first round. Having been a point away from losing he beat 4th seeded John Isner 6-4, 6-7[5], 6-3. Then he beat Stevie Johnson 6-4, 7-5. He was rolling and his momentum was enough to take him past 2nd seed Nishikori 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. It's an astonishing result to make the final when you play four of the top five seeds at an event.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">===============================================</span> <br /><br /><center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xcF66kBmXEaPHsFrV-rSOKS4bULET3tQSmXVmbPPUOniPGvMBR0qKsXoFfGo5KmShwaD3IWYhnm6qjYNbuifF6p637KHnBGnY-WR72Jhpsp2nxVxg6WV-gHn6fk1tDa9KqTNqMjtU1tHqO07ahsqOKiIMZ1jOwHotzWLdlAFSUXwgH6wjfV9dYeNw8rKp8V0fCZ3ze-HN5qc36Xp-XwbevcV1Eqf6887VMlGAymrC_kL-_U2Hh4KFVx28s_TTSgl0KtpDd4bDbKoEK2v1eq9jI_4imDUj57WdBIk32vXY6EoKcgRjjj-m2rD74F3Cih4w21KBSOBPBdy5ZZ92Zs3wWBLM_PfmqzoDjv-6ex5eRLAouDQ53g0-PayCeXPKd0Qi-_EgiykelohlJOr8E0yf3tHDfEuC-w3ZkA3dJMk01Ahc2G_t23f7kWlOaVaTxETKnSs-FCmALuNCMvJUQ2MCcTUCZWcfqcTVs23XHsk1n1x9ZU-eHQvpNHyFGuWblWXpJsltJDQEh7Uosr7EWOwjZejKTp2uIRpCB4wlZ1dpDU3839T9MpvgnQ0V872jDeJjtYngtuJ8YlYASG12-z99Xw5LwG1QDWyJnj7Ld_UuPNSeAPH0McQ=w400-h115-no"></center>Big news from the world of Daria Gavrilova. She entered the singles in Strasbourg as the 7th seed. She defeated Louisa Chirico 6-2, 6-3 in the opening round. She edged past Elizaveta Kulichkova 6-3, 6-7[4], 6-4. In the quarterfinals she struggled past Ash Barty, winning 6-4, 6-7[3], 7-6[5]. In the semi, she was spectacular and gave Caroline Garcia a memorable beat down. Everything fell for her on that day. Her drop shots were accurate, her movement good and the ground game strong. With her run to the final she rose back to her highest ever ranking of 24. She even took the first set against compatriot Sam Stosur in the final. But Sam came back at her, coming through 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 to hold onto her top Aussie singles ranking for a 451st and 452nd week (<em>Dasha would have overtaken her with a win</em>). She had momentum going into Roland Garros...<br /><br />But it didn't matter as she crashed out in the first round to Elise Mertens 7-6[4], 1-6, 6-4. She had a great opportunity to make a run, but that has all gone up in smoke. <br /><br />She and A-Pavs open against fourth seeded Mirza/Shvedova in doubles. If they win that it will be a monumental upset. So stay tuned. <br /><br />She is not scheduled to appear in any grass court tournaments the week after Roland Garros, though that may change. <br /><br /><br />Thanks all and visit <a href="http://wtabackspin.blogspot.com">WTA BACKSPIN</a> please.</span>http://atpbackspin.blogspot.com/2017/05/wk21-lost-week-is-found.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Todd.Spiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14702766.post-8629759655578351411Mon, 29 May 2017 03:55:00 +00002017-07-04T01:45:55.285-04:00French Open Day 1: Fun in the Sun(day)<center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Jt4H-2xxAWOdCRZH6CXiB7W3b3keXXmfO6NzkM4m5OyB7S7E7YM2JJnyf4rCL3FKSAHOvWxsrgVSd3mNLeQpV5ZXVcD3MmwZo-Z2vSqCMsqivx2fDjaQSpQBJ0FnXlWVNgisWnfgKID8Tpb-Xx5Rlu2O4n_ZM67WRuT_iOu5Cxk0aUAXkJbWVYdlBFJB3O5b5I_-Qp7t_ufJGJ4f7hL_nswEI4yNB0n2whvBBY0a3aEEt7nAmTVN2CuKPyXXZbThEpATgNrjdWl8ZVgPa8YRaOHUi0W03HS3M3P3yf9KpTG7CkvHqaJCOngKHRU1WWrB2xIUQf1ULLD7JqZbKXrDcbonniA4uh9LByGfVVNu7m3QgQAYCt05JLiTxiMibBArVVoi2B9AKCuyoSUDBQn-lNsbsMNbTgg_nigCWoiISpjkL1cjateePJclAyMSb4fvA78ZAgf36wuqEna0bM1N1wQkmI7Iyz91BXFa6A9hghNp3zLGxI7L-N1-ZNQSEt7SXGNHavQdQ9vOJwpV8b4A6JlKkl9Y91NLFCoSdnkHOcO2P8lv7MODwZwy3a2PJjdATs5_cCkq6PGHUt44PoQcFua9WjJNVflGnMneUMdxdki5OVP6sWTp=w398-h48-no"></center>Hey Y'all. Galileo here.<br /><br />This BACKSPINNER rather enjoys the French Open Sunday. It's like when the umpire announces the warm up time is almost finished. You get some good matches, usually decent weather, and it's a nice way for one to ease into a slam. Your sleep schedule is still good and your favourite player might have gone through. I know mine has. I hope yours does, too. <span class="fullpost"><br /><br />This Sunday we had women's top seed and Austria's Dominic Thiem open proceedings. Thiem won comfortably. If you want to find out what happened to Angie Kerber, there's an elevator <a href="http://wtabackspin.blogspot.com/2017/05/rg1-kvitova-kerber-occupy-opposite-ends.html">HERE</a> that will take you to the women's floor. Or you could access this tweet if you want a spoiler:<br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Shocker! ??<br /><br />Angelique Kerber becomes the first WTA No. 1 seed to lose in the first round of Roland-Garros. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RG17?src=hash">#RG17</a> <a href="https://t.co/iu4CrZNMPn">pic.twitter.com/iu4CrZNMPn</a></p>&mdash; Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) <a href="https://twitter.com/rolandgarros/status/868800755259592705">May 28, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /><br />But the main event did not come in the men's draw. It came in the shape of Petra Kvitova. She is now the background for the official Roland Garros twitter page. She also had the tennis tweet of the year:<br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thank you ?? <a href="https://t.co/cFeEFKbFyN">pic.twitter.com/cFeEFKbFyN</a></p>&mdash; Petra Kvitova (@Petra_Kvitova) <a href="https://twitter.com/Petra_Kvitova/status/868852403961024512">May 28, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /><br />It brings this BACKSPINNER a lot of joy to see her win. And she looked good, too. It's a beautiful comeback story and, honestly, she could be a Wimbledon favourite. But for more on her why don't you get back in that elevator. <br /><br />Well, let's get the suicide going and see what else happened...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#B22222;">MS 1st Rd: Lopez d. [q] Fratangelo<br />== <br />WS 1st Rd: Jankovic d. Hogenkamp</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f77/backspinner/logogenerator5Cupl5C18419103160_764743.jpg"> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">CHATRIER:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">DIMITROV D. ROBERT</span> <br />...There is only so much a home crowd can do for you. When there is a gap in class like there is here it will only ever go one way. Stephane Robert once beat Tomas Berdych in Paris, 9-7 in the third set. History was always unlikely to repeat itself. It took the Bulgarian under two hours to cruise through 6-2, 6-3, 6-4. He hit 35 winners and got six breaks from six break points. He did lose serve twice, but the whole point of first round matches is to find your feet, to make a few errors and still come out the match feeling good. His first serve percentage of 54 needs to be higher as he goes on, but otherwise it was a good performance from a player who could make a lot of noise here.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">CHATRIER:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">POUILLE D. BENNETEAU</span> <br />...If there was a match of the day it might be this. Pouille ground out a three hour, twenty minute win over compatriot Julien Benneteau, who might be playing in his final Roland Garros. The youngster won 7-6[6], 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. There were 110 winners in the match and only six breaks. This was the kind of match that had everything. It had stunning rallies, a great crowd, and some sparkling shot-making. It is Benny's 15th Roland Garros, a remarkable stat. Being a wily veteran is handy, but sometimes you find yourself outmatched on the day. If he does retire his final match here will at least have been a classic. It does not get any easier for Pouille - up next he has to play Thomaz Bellucci. The forehand to forehand rallies will be fascinating to watch.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">LENGLEN:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">ZEBALLOS D. MANNARINO</span> <br />...In a mixed day for the Frenchies, Zeballos added to their losses. The Argentine was clinical in a 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 win over his left-handed opponent. Zeballos is one of the only men to ever defeat Nadal in a clay court final. He did so in Buenos Aires some four years ago. He has been in a slump since but does post a remarkable result every now and then. With Ivo Karlovic his next opponent, opportunity beckons for the crafty dirt-specialist. In the two-and-a-half hour first round match there were 58 errors and 11 breaks. This was a match for the clay court aficionado. It was full of long rallies, patient exchanges and measured shots. But Mannarino is not at the level he was. And for the experienced Argentine it was easy pickings. It was a strange day for the French. Benneteau, Robert and Quentin Halys all lost. But Oceane Dodin, Benjamin Bonzi and Lucas Pouille all triumphed.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">LENGLEN:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">THIEM D. TOMIC</span> <br />...It took the Austrian 80 minutes to dismantle Bernard Tomic - he won 6-4, 6-0, 6-2. He never faced a break point and hit 32 winners to just ten errors. He won 63 per cent of the points. It was a humiliation. The silver-lining for Tomic is that this is his worst surface. The grass 'swing' is just around the corner. There is still time to adjust. But the worrying signs are beginning to mount. His movement is not as good as it was and he looked out of his depth for much of the match. Thiem, however, looked majestic. He is going to to take over Nadal's crown. The guy won 70 per cent of his second serve points. Simone Bolelli or Nicolas Mahut are next up for the 6th seed. Neither of those guys are going to have a fun time against the rising star.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">COURT ONE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">TRUNGELLITI D. HALYS</span> <br />...In a match lasting some four hours, the Frenchman blew a two set lead to crumble to a 6-3, 7-6[4], 6-7[2], 4-6, 4-6 loss. The turning point came in the third set breaker. The Frenchie double faulted on set-point. He gave the momentum to his opponent and couldn't find it again. Marco Trungelliti, sporting Guga-style curls, is a journeyman who has qualified for the event. He was expected to lose. Instead he has caused an astonishing upset. He will play Guillermo Garcia Lopez next. That's why slams are so special. There are upsets, tears, tantrums and exciting hairdos. There is no greater pain than when you lose a match from two sets up. And there is no greater feeling than coming back from two down to win. If you have a home crowd it is even better. There is a magic, particularly here and at Wimbledon, that isn't there in other sports. Even the perfect Aaron Rodgers spiral doesn't get this BACKSPINNER as excited as watching Federer come back to beat Cilic.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">OUTER COURT SELECTION :</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">RAMOS-VINOLAS D. COPIL</span> <br />...He was last year's quarterfinalist. He could take out some big names. We should all be watching the Spaniard. It may have taken three hours, but he is through with a 6-7[7], 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 win. It was more straightforward than it sounds. The first set of any grand slam is always one of the hardest. He broke seven times, losing his own serve just twice. He also hit only 19 errors. The Romanian sprayed 68 unforced errors during the match. The Spaniards never make it easy on themselves. They prefer to build into the match and grind rather than blow their opponent out. For Albert, this is a good sign and the perfect first round match - just enough of a test.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=============================</span> <br /><br /><br />Thanks all and visit <a href="http://wtabackspin.blogspot.com">WTA BACKSPIN</a> please.</span>http://atpbackspin.blogspot.com/2017/05/french-open-day-1-fun-in-sunday.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Todd.Spiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14702766.post-6722338380636861661Sun, 28 May 2017 15:11:00 +00002017-05-28T11:11:14.388-04:00RG Predictions: Who's Going to Finish Runner-Up to Rafael Nadal? <center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Jt4H-2xxAWOdCRZH6CXiB7W3b3keXXmfO6NzkM4m5OyB7S7E7YM2JJnyf4rCL3FKSAHOvWxsrgVSd3mNLeQpV5ZXVcD3MmwZo-Z2vSqCMsqivx2fDjaQSpQBJ0FnXlWVNgisWnfgKID8Tpb-Xx5Rlu2O4n_ZM67WRuT_iOu5Cxk0aUAXkJbWVYdlBFJB3O5b5I_-Qp7t_ufJGJ4f7hL_nswEI4yNB0n2whvBBY0a3aEEt7nAmTVN2CuKPyXXZbThEpATgNrjdWl8ZVgPa8YRaOHUi0W03HS3M3P3yf9KpTG7CkvHqaJCOngKHRU1WWrB2xIUQf1ULLD7JqZbKXrDcbonniA4uh9LByGfVVNu7m3QgQAYCt05JLiTxiMibBArVVoi2B9AKCuyoSUDBQn-lNsbsMNbTgg_nigCWoiISpjkL1cjateePJclAyMSb4fvA78ZAgf36wuqEna0bM1N1wQkmI7Iyz91BXFa6A9hghNp3zLGxI7L-N1-ZNQSEt7SXGNHavQdQ9vOJwpV8b4A6JlKkl9Y91NLFCoSdnkHOcO2P8lv7MODwZwy3a2PJjdATs5_cCkq6PGHUt44PoQcFua9WjJNVflGnMneUMdxdki5OVP6sWTp=w398-h48-no"></center>Hi All. Galileo here.<br /><br />It is the first time in ATP history that the top five are all over the age of 30. Will that experience see a veteran make the final? Or will a youngster have a good run? <br /><br />Let's explore Nadal's path to inevitable victory. Will he drop *any* sets along the way? <span class="fullpost"><br /> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=MURRAY QUARTER=</span><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">*POWER RANKINGS*</span><br />1. <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">SASHA ZVEREV, GER</span>...This is a kid who has won just one junior slam. He has never been to the fourth round of a slam. There are two guys ranked higher than him in his quarter. He has won just four titles. But he made the final at Roland Garros as a junior. He has won three titles this year. He has won two clay court titles in the last month. One of them was in Rome. He is one of the top three or four guys in the world right now. And in such a weak quarter that really counts. That backhand may be the best shot in the upper half of the draw. Fernando Verdasco and Pablo Cuevas are the immediate threats, but he should be too good.<br />2. <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO, ARG</span>...What the heck am I doing? A guy ranked 9th and a guy seeded 20 places below that are the best in the quarter? Part of the reason is that Kei Nishikori is injured right now and Andy Murray may as well be. Part of the reason is that on form these two are up there. Del Potro's forehand is looking good again and a quarter-final run in Rome will buoy him. He opens with Guido Pella before playing probably Nico Almagro. Then he has Andy Murray. That is going to be a fiery encounter.<br />3. <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">ANDY MURRAY, GBR</span>...By default, really. Nishikori is literally broken. He opens with Andrey Kuznetsov. Then he might have to play Martin Klizan. If he makes it out of the section, let alone the quarter, that will be an astonishing result. He is there for the taking. <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">DARK HORSE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">TOMAS BERDYCH, CZE</span>...He is a former semi-finalist. He has a workable draw. And he could easily beat Del Potro or Murray. He has nothing to lose and is always tricky to beat at Roland Garros.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">WILD HORSE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">KAREN KHACHANOV, RUS</span>...The Russian got in automatically. He is very dangerous and plays Nicolas Jarry first. That's a match to tune into. Then the Russian gets a shot at Berdman. That's an upset alert right there.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">DONKEY:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">KEI NISHIKORI, JPN</span>...One of these days Nishikori's bone is going to snap on court. You'll hear it like a Christmas cracker. He isn't fit and should be resting and preparing for the only slam he has a shot at, the U.S. Open.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">R1 MATCH TO WATCH:</span> THANASI KOKKINAKIS/AUS VS. KEI NISHIKORI/JPN<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=In the End...=</span><br />Zverev lives up to the expectations, while Delpo makes another sparkling French Open run. In the fourth round the German is going to play a total surprise. <br /><br />DEL POTRO D. BERDYCH<br />ZVEREV D. KOKKINAKIS<br />--<br />ZVEREV D. DEL POTRO<br /><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=WAWRINKA QUARTER=</span><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">*POWER RANKINGS* </span><br />1. <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">STAN WAWRINKA, SUI</span>....Somebody was going to draw Cilic. Whoever that was knew they'd be in with a great shot to make the semi-finals. Wawrinka is a former champion, of which there are only two others. He is a multiple semi-finalist here and one of only a handful of slam winners. He has the experience and the game to get it done. Jozef Kovalik is a qualifier and unknown. Wawrinka opens with him. After the he is likely to get Alex Dolgopolov. If he can survive the first two rounds he is headed to the semi-finals.<br />2. <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">NICK KYRGIOS, AUS</span>...This section is so weak. But it is filled with landmines - Kyrgios opens with Philipp Kohlschreiber. Then he probably plays Kevin Anderson. After that is a clash with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. But the Australian will be up to the challenge. He has been on form this year and has a good chance to record a career best slam performance. If he can come up with a cohesive game-plan he will do very well. Watch out for his dropper on this surface. <br />3. <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">RICHARD GASQUET, FRA</span>...Fabio Fognini opens with Frances Tiafoe. Gael Monfils has been badly injured recently. Marin Cilic has Ernests Gulbis up first. But Gasquet? He's always a lock to make the fourth round of any slam. He opens with qualifier Arthur de Greef. Unless Monfils overcomes his injury woes the path doesn't get more difficult than the Belgian qualifier.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">DARK HORSE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">JO-WILFRIED TSONGA, FRA</span>...A former semi-finalist with nothing to lose, who knows that he has one or two more shots at the title. If he can align all his stars there will be a decent run. But will that happen? If he ends up playing Kyrgios that will be on Chatrier. It could be a modern classic.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">WILD HORSE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">FABIO FOGNINI, ITA</span>...The Italian is the 28th seed and has been to the quarters here before. Once he gets past Tiafoe he has a shot at upending Stan in the third round. But he could win three games against the American, swear at the umpire in German and throw his racket at a pensior. Who knows?<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">DONKEY:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">MARIN CILIC, CRO</span>...He opens with Gulbis. That's a sure-fire upset. Even if he survives, the chances of him making the quarters are zip. The head-to-head between he and the Lativan is only 3-2 in his favour.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">R1 MATCH TO WATCH:</span> ERNESTS GULBIS/LAT VS. MARIN CILIC/CRO <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=In the End...=</span><br />Stan Wawrinka is too steady for the explosive Nick Kyrgios.<br /><br />WAWRINKA D. GASQUET<br />KYRGIOS D. FERRER<br />--<br />WAWRINKA D. KYRGIOS <br /><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=NADAL QUARTER= </span><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">*POWER RANKINGS* </span><br />1. <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">RAFAEL NADAL, ESP</span>...He opens with Benoit Paire. It is exactly the kind of match he didn't want to have to play. But Nadal is going to resemble Ronald Reagan taking on Jimmy Carter in that election. Or against Walter Mondale in that other election. With 31st seed Gilles Simon the only immediate 'threat,' expect Nadal to have little trouble here. He would have preferred not to be in Novak Djokovic's half but this BACKSPINNER suspects that won't matter. His forehand is great and it's going to be ten titles.<br />2. <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">GRIGOR DIMITROV, BUL</span>...He will make the quarterfinals. Yes, Pablo Carreno Busta is here, but he doesn't have any deep runs from which he can draw experience. Dimitrov has a point to prove and not even playing Tommy Robredo in the second round will stop him.<br />3. <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">ROBERTO BAUTISTA AGUT, ESP</span>....This guy is also here. If Nadal is captured by Russians he'll make the quarters. How's that for a bold prediction, Todd? <span style="font-weight; color:#B22222;">[Ed.note:</span> Good one - international intrigue and scandal *without* the U.S. Prez and/or his staff being involved!<span style="font-weight; color:#B22222;">]</span><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">DARK HORSE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">TOMMY ROBREDO, ESP</span>...Five quarterfinals at the French. All of them in odd years. In a section with only one winner why can't he win a few?<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">WILD HORSE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">JERZY JANOWICZ, POL</span>...Some of these need no explanation.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">DONKEY:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">MILOS RAONIC, CAN</span>...The 5th seed has a good record here. But he has been hurt and you would think he has half an eye on Wimbledon, too. Winning two matches here would be considered a solid tournament. Fortunately for him, he has a very simple draw. But he is ripe for an upset right now.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">R1 MATCH TO WATCH:</span> DOLGOPOLOV/UKR VS. CORIC/CRO <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=In the End...= </span><br />Nadal is here. Any other data required?<br /><br />DIMITROV D. RAONIC<br />NADAL D. BAUTISTA AGUT <br />--<br />NADAL D. DIMITROV <br /><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=DJOKOVIC QUARTER= </span><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">*POWER RANKINGS* </span><br />1. <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">DOMINIC THIEM, AUT</span>...No, this BACKSPINNER doesn't trust Nole. He has a new coach, who has won this title, but the problems don't just go away overnight. He has a tricky draw full of landmines and without his usual level of fitness he is going to struggle. The Austrian has been the second best player on clay for most of the swing, though it was another youngster who won the big title. His kick serve works a treat at Roland Garros. <br /><br /><center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/9HH89MYw7qFmTk4uMreFBRGvoPdIwV3ppVS-BUVrvlB1fbT4pEs4BjE2NdfiIk1RozsZUumdZanfOSROUsk-MlBEAVIgfRnyAIe8TcwJlufN1jCsSzUAM3Vf2TbIeFnSl6yaiBWNRpuPOvFPtZ7Hsf-IxKxJzXSLR_4oQZQPFGEWFSf9oxllhVFGlrMwUxgAreq95hbEsSS9zDwCibkkdD85OD_rGw2VhPJitWn5qN1Lrws-0NCY-LsuCYjsc4v_pqWn_Ck4qL64sL2jLy7BKkNMsF_xX885k_0ImMfR_3Al-mSF5BkmocabgDZ3L4pRdZtd9qxBP9GragpecNkNogxVK3fMJ7TK7tQ0S2sOzSnwE9OHI22eIA-UuRstajUstySVL5TGoXI6pJvyblYNUcOhJ9voRVnTIXuwAYay_dSqpbiQVeiqGk8DhFR6GjdeM8rZHngrBQdzZNnmswVwq8kkOPkebcLGLzHCFvgKr4j-9KSGYQdRXcwOJF5dRHkBjSPbYOAQzJYu8o3Ysxf5WlSq7lrvjoGQ6eyr4QjTRjm_f8QY_N6_h0bqfxzEGOJsgMF31XnNaIEeRYvu1f22MQFr0aLTiAMr3vXeOZLqrBan2hkfBDFk=w420-h308-no"></center><br />Just ask Sam about kick serves on the dirt. <br /><br /><center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_6hoT-0rMz8tYZPnIxK_McZrP8lm8mg-PvQXknZ_XtX2glcLHzchtCwwgJs9gdB_RQlOjlL2nm9Yr-5KAinesYJwdCdTuJghyoMrn2-t-t9cnwP_YNe_Er8nQ2rptqOTev20WyL0GuZQcgc0XQC47gVTszfZocI8DpXO2lhOiMgpqCgT9afKHroCQgiCGcWcgSOTPSoriHrCnL9-IY0n9r0LIGIl_Xrwa1JVdZQbnQEJSq0mp3nHDbDD5bgT8XxGH1272Aubwvhx2Tqt9Ps0bQoV4ghf1XjgF7ZAwv8jxNL6ibN2cYO00wXWu4QHN8J53FwSsMDlP46Xy1kdIWJsIeTWlGW5XW9kYE7_J7Yando9Kh6U939X09kWprxfh1kjXVsxFzUnC28cl6V4HNo1AqbJzdbezaXAbG86GjDVKzw_LpSeNJclZd_xzNwhD2gpnm89RLv91eY29jDcKIJzZ72NuJefZlQgWxFOCi1z3dO2m7CUBZTZ_sqvLijTQhO4aKhToo0UFG_C6AyV_GkYBk0il22ZjXxby7wu8vq9t_oEWWBLKPBhbF2beSPvV4Q_MRpNA97ifUcfH90BDMvXBdxZFVsLB8HQAnw5PEQbpP3LQ_VdkmtJ=w420-h315-no"></center><br />He opens with paper tiger Bernard Tomic. The entire seventh-eighth of the draw [<em>yes, that is an odd phrase isn't it?</em>] is all about another chapter in one of our best rivalries. Dominic Thiem versus David Goffin. That is quickly turning into a classic. The 6th seed should meet the 10th with the winner given the chance to cause an upset.<br />2. <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">NOVAK DJOKOVIC, SRB</span>...He wanted a nice easy draw and to see Rafa Nadal in the other end of the draw. But, alas, it has not happened. He plays Marcel Granollers first. If that goes on for three or four hours Djokovic isn't winning this slam. He has to win that one quickly. Joao Sousa or Janko Tipsarevic await in the next round. Tipsy has beaten him twice. Then he has Mischa Zverev. And then it will be Albert Ramos Vinolas. He made the quarters last year. For the Serbian that is a path fraught with danger. In the other half of this quarter it is easier for his quarterfinal opponent. But the Agassi factor will definitely give him a boost. How much remains to be seen. He has to return better than he has been.<br />3. <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">DAVID GOFFIN, BEL</span>...He will certainly make the fourth round.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">DARK HORSE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">ALBERT RAMOS VINOLAS, ESP</span>...Last year's quarterfinalist could beat Djokovic on clay if he played his best. But over five sets? Can he maintain a high standard of play? If he beats Djokovic there is no reason he can't cause one more upset and make the semi-finals.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">WILD HORSE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">THOMAZ BELLUCCI, BRA</span>...Don't underestimate how effective this kid is on clay.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">DONKEY:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">NOVAK DJOKOVIC, SRB</span>...It just feels like there's an upset coming, but you don't know where that might be. Both he and Murray are very wobbly right now.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">R1 MATCH TO WATCH:</span> STEFANOS TSITSIPAS/GRE VS. IVO KARLOVIC/CRO<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=In the End...= </span><br />Thiem takes the next step. He knows he can play well here. He knows what works. But he has to figure out how to beat Nole. This BACKSPINNER figures Nole chokes and loses early, meaning Thiem comes out of the section. Goffin is very good again, but the lack of flair gives the Austrian the edge. This is the best quarter in the draw. <br /><br />THIEM D. GOFFIN<br />DJOKOVIC D. RAMOS VINOLAS <br />--<br />THIEM D. DJOKOVIC<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#B22222;">=SEMIFINALS= </span><br />#9 ZVEREV D. #3 WAWRINKA<br />#4 NADAL D. #6 THIEM <br /><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#B22222;">=FINAL= </span><br />#4 NADAL D. #9 ZVEREV<br /><br />...Wawrinka, like so many times before, fails at the semi-final stage. Having just won Rome, Zverev goes one better and makes his slam final debut. But Nadal. Nadal sees off two future French Open champions. Between them, Zverev and Thiem will win more titles here than Bjorn Borg.<br /><br /><br />Go to WTA BACKSPIN. They have hotdogs. And it's also where <a href="http://wtabackspin.blogspot.com/2017/05/rg-preview-star-light-but-star-bright.html">I made my WTA picks.</a><br /><br /><br /><em>I'll be seeing you all soon and far too frequently for your liking. <br /><br />Galileo.</em></span>http://atpbackspin.blogspot.com/2017/05/rg-predictions-whos-going-to-finish.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Todd.Spiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14702766.post-3304449589531554887Tue, 23 May 2017 03:52:00 +00002017-05-23T00:35:12.242-04:00Wk.20- The Week That Changed a Career<center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Jt4H-2xxAWOdCRZH6CXiB7W3b3keXXmfO6NzkM4m5OyB7S7E7YM2JJnyf4rCL3FKSAHOvWxsrgVSd3mNLeQpV5ZXVcD3MmwZo-Z2vSqCMsqivx2fDjaQSpQBJ0FnXlWVNgisWnfgKID8Tpb-Xx5Rlu2O4n_ZM67WRuT_iOu5Cxk0aUAXkJbWVYdlBFJB3O5b5I_-Qp7t_ufJGJ4f7hL_nswEI4yNB0n2whvBBY0a3aEEt7nAmTVN2CuKPyXXZbThEpATgNrjdWl8ZVgPa8YRaOHUi0W03HS3M3P3yf9KpTG7CkvHqaJCOngKHRU1WWrB2xIUQf1ULLD7JqZbKXrDcbonniA4uh9LByGfVVNu7m3QgQAYCt05JLiTxiMibBArVVoi2B9AKCuyoSUDBQn-lNsbsMNbTgg_nigCWoiISpjkL1cjateePJclAyMSb4fvA78ZAgf36wuqEna0bM1N1wQkmI7Iyz91BXFa6A9hghNp3zLGxI7L-N1-ZNQSEt7SXGNHavQdQ9vOJwpV8b4A6JlKkl9Y91NLFCoSdnkHOcO2P8lv7MODwZwy3a2PJjdATs5_cCkq6PGHUt44PoQcFua9WjJNVflGnMneUMdxdki5OVP6sWTp=w398-h48-no"></center>Hey, all. Galileo here.<br /><br />One of the best things about tennis, apart from the relative gender balance and Svetlana Kuznetsova, is the surfaces. In football, soccer and baseball you have one field or diamond. You can't play ice hockey on custard or peanut butter. You can't play basketball on sand. But on tennis you have a mix of surfaces. And some players are better on one kind. It's a really unusual trait. It sets us apart.<span class="fullpost"><br /><br />On grass you want quick rallies. You won't see a 12 or 15 shot rally on grass ever. If you watched a day of Wimbledon you might see five of those. But clay is different. You have to be fit and you have to be ready to grind, and to win a point five different times. And with clay the key to winning is to go deep. If you just sit back and rally, keep it deep and restrict your opponent, you'll win that rally most of the time. Of course, he is trying to do the same thing to you. It's why David Ferrer and Nicolas Almagro have such long rallies, or did. It is why Pablo Carreno Busta and his compatriots are so effective. <br /><br />And it is the reason Germany's Alex Zverev beat Novak Djokovic. He just nailed every ball onto the back ten per cent of the court. He didn't go for any outlandish shots. He played percentage tennis and kept that ball out of the strike zone of the Serbian. It is also hard to hit it by him because, like another great German player, he has a terrific wing span. It is Graf-like in a way, the manner in which he can just hit any ball. He glides an inch to his left and that's all he needs. <br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It&#39;s a first <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ATPMasters1000?src=hash">#ATPMasters1000</a> title for Alexander <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Zverev?src=hash">#Zverev</a>, who defeats <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Djokovic?src=hash">#Djokovic</a> to win the <a href="https://twitter.com/InteBNLdItalia">@InteBNLdItalia</a>! Read: <a href="https://t.co/G00Nku9seV">https://t.co/G00Nku9seV</a> <a href="https://t.co/V30gsr2tZJ">pic.twitter.com/V30gsr2tZJ</a></p>&mdash; ATP World Tour (@ATPWorldTour) <a href="https://twitter.com/ATPWorldTour/status/866318866074312704">May 21, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /><br />And the shots. He is silky smooth. No shot is over-worked or clunky. Nole's forehand, in particular, looks very mechanical. There are no hitches in the German's technique, no pauses or kinks. It is a totally smooth motion. And he does it off both wings. Novak could not find a solution during the match and the 6-4, 6-3 scoreline is pretty accurate. The only weapon Nole could use was the dropper. But it isn't a proper weapon. It hasn't won Aga Radwanska a slam and it didn't win the Serbian this match. You could see the frustration written across the world number two's face. He couldn't break down the German's game. <br /><br />It wasn't just in the rallies that the German was controlling the match. Novak's famous return was absent. Zverev's was serving well, particularly out wide, but you would still have thought he would be able to get a handle on his opponent's serve. The German didn't even play out of his skin. He was so comfortable, so at home, in dismantling one of the best five guys ever to play our sport. And it is not often that you watch a player, or a match, and you think I want that guy's shot for my own. The Richard Gasquet backhand. The Gonzo forehand. Amelie Mauresmo's volley. But if this BACKSPINNER could have the Zverev backhand, he would be a happy guy. The sheer disguise is ridiculous. Is he going to hit a dropper? Go for a deep slice? No, he's just driven it inside out and put it right on the baseline. Point over. <br /><br />But he is not the only one who has had a spectacular week. Dominic Thiem has achieved the impossible. He has become a legitimate rival for Rafael Nadal on clay. <br /><br />Let's read on and find out more... <br /><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">=RANKINGS WATCH=</span><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">*</span> - Del Potro rises four places to 30th. That guarantees him a French Open seed. With a kind draw he could go on a deep run. If I were the Argentine I'd want to see Andy Murray as early as possible.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">*</span> - Ferrer and Simon round out the top 32. For those guys, the Spaniard in particular, this slam is one of their last chances to make a run.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">*</span> - Zverev has risen seven places to break into the top ten for the first time. He is ahead of Goffin and Dimitrov. He is defending third round points at the French. A quarterfinal run or better could see him take a top eight place at Wimbledon. <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">*</span> - No change in the top five. Murray, Djokovic, Wawrinka, Raonic and Nadal. Neither of the top two rankings could be classified as 'safe'. But not yet in massive danger. <br /><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f77/backspinner/655497186_439441.gif?t=1348865096"></center><br /><center><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">*WEEK 20 CHAMPIONS*</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#B22222;">ROME, ITALY (Red Clay)</span><br /><em>S: <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#48D1CC;">Alexander Zverev def. Novak Djokovic 6-4/6-3</span><br />D: <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#48D1CC;">Herbert/Mahut d. Dodig/Granollers</span></em></center><br /><center><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f77/backspinner/logogenerator5Cupl5C18419103160_764743.jpg"></center><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">PLAYER OF THE WEEK:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">ALEXANDER ZVEREV, GER</span><br />...At 20 years old, he is in the top ten. Nick Kyrgios has not done that yet. Like Thiem and Grigor Dimitrov, the breakthrough for Zverev has come on clay. Thiem beat Wawrinka and Dimitrov took out Djokovic, both in Madrid. Zverev's big win has come at last. He has never been to the fourth round of a slam. He has never gone further than the quarterfinals of a Masters tournament. He has never even won a 500 level tournament. This is a little reminiscent of when Sam Stosur won that U.S. Open. She had barely even won a single final before then. No nerves from the youngster, not a wobble, not a double fault out of place. This BACKSPINNER has been genuinely concerned about where tennis goes after Serena Williams and the big four go. But now we have Zverev, Thiem, Kyrgios, Chung, Svitolina, Barty and Christian Garin. We have some very impressive talent coming up who are ready to win, who are getting better with every match. If one of those seven does not win a slam in the next two years then I will do a forfeit of Todd's choosing. <br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Alexander <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Zverev?src=hash">#Zverev</a> produced several milestone moments w/his win in the <a href="https://twitter.com/InteBNLdItalia">@InteBNLdItalia</a> final. Read: <a href="https://t.co/oj9viOwSvY">https://t.co/oj9viOwSvY</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ATPMasters1000?src=hash">#ATPMasters1000</a> <a href="https://t.co/wTFpzB4iju">pic.twitter.com/wTFpzB4iju</a></p>&mdash; ATP World Tour (@ATPWorldTour) <a href="https://twitter.com/ATPWorldTour/status/866340623854428160">May 21, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /><br />Anyway, this week Zverev was seeded 16th, but with men's tennis being what it is right now, no draw is ever unmanageable. And being seeded always helps. He opened with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win over the big South African Kevin Anderson. He saw off Viktor Troicki 6-3, 6-4 and it was a similar result against (new father) Fabio Fognini. The Italian, and conqueror of Murray, could only muster six games against the surging German. Once you start to win it's hard to stop, hard to fall out of the groove. And Zverev is a player who is utterly groovy. In the quarterfinals he beat Milos Raonic 7-6[4], 6-1. That is a big result. The Canadian is a very hard player to breadstick. It is another top ten win for the German, too. They are starting to mount up, they really are. Against John Isner in the semis, he struggled to a 6-4, 6-7[5], 6-1 victory. But to lose the middle set in a breaker and respond by dropping just one more game? It's an extremely mature response. And in the final, well, you know what happened there - Djokovic was humbled, denied in another Masters clay final.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Barcelona F: Nadal d. Thiem 6-4 6-1<br />Madrid F: Nadal d. Thiem 7-6(8) 6-4<br />Rome QF: Thiem d. Nadal 6-4 6-3<br /><br />Third time&#39;s a charm for <a href="https://twitter.com/ThiemDomi">@ThiemDomi</a> <a href="https://t.co/xm2kHAnK33">pic.twitter.com/xm2kHAnK33</a></p>&mdash; Tennis TV (@TennisTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/TennisTV/status/865605502436204544">May 19, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">RISER:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">DOMINIC THIEM, AUT</span> <br />...The last few weeks have felt like the Zverev and Thiem show. Do you know what the ATP lacked the last ten years? A true rival for Rafa Nadal on clay courts. This clay swing we got a taste, a brief sip of what it could have been like. The Spaniard beat Thiem in two finals during this clay-court swing. At Barcelona and Madrid he was found wanting. But he did Nadal in last week. Nadal ran out of gas in a way he wouldn't have a decade ago. But the credit really foes to Domi because he hit Rafa out of the park. He spanked the fuzz off the balls. His backhand was incredible, and Nadal struggled to predict or deal with it. Nadal has been working under the, until now fairly logical, theory that if you hit to a guy's backhand enough it will crumble. But when they hit out at you he doesn't know what to do. Dimitrov, Federer and Thiem have all been able to make him look a bit silly by simply hitting through their one-handers. The days of Gaston Gaudio and even Fernando Gonzalez have gone now. Gaudio would have done nothing in this era. His backhand was a big liability. Thiem is one of the new generation who are making that shot look viable. This week he had a good first matching, beating Pablo Cuevas 7-6[4], 6-4. Thiem struggled in the third round against American Sam Querrey. He saved three match points in the final set breaker to edge through 3-6, 6-3, 7-6[9]. Then he gave Nadal a beating in a 6-4, 6-3 victory that was not as close as the scoreline suggests. Alas, he met Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals. He is 0-5 all time against the Serb. He has taken one set, at the 2016 WTF, but even that was in a breaker. Djokovic owns him. And in Rome he obliterated him 6-0, 6-1. That match lasted exactly one hour. Another Roland Garros run is certainly likely for the fiery youngster.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">FRESH FACE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">GIANLUCA MAGER, ITA</span> <br />...In a big tournament like this you can always give a very talented local a go. Meet Gianluca Mager. He is 22. He has been as high as 290 in the world. He just made his main draw debut. He has a big serve and used his wildcard to good effect - he pushed Aljez Bedene hard before retiring hurt. The Italian lost 7-6[3], 4-6, 0-3. He retired with cramps, but the good news is that he is on the Youtubes. Yes, here he is: <br /><br /><center><iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tUUFkRyxVR8?ecver=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">VETERAN:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">TOMMY HAAS, GER</span> <br />...The German is continuing to win matches and put the younger generation to shame. After so many years in that business we call tennis, he just wants more. He first played in Rome in 1997. Yes that is two decades ago. He lost to Carlos Moya 6-4, 6-2. Boris Becker played in that tournament. So did Pete Sampras. Tommy Haas is the living, breathing embodiment of the word 'veteran.'<br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tommy Haas saying goodbye to Rome one last time [getty] <a href="https://t.co/CFkgAoiSVh">pic.twitter.com/CFkgAoiSVh</a></p>&mdash; José Morgado (@josemorgado) <a href="https://twitter.com/josemorgado/status/864996738611920896">May 18, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">SURPRISE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">JOHN ISNER, USA</span> <br />...Well, this makes no sense. We should probably call Scoob and the gang to take off Isner's mask. He had the most Isner tournament you can have. He opened by beating Ramos-Vinolas 6-7[4], 7-6[4], 6-1. Then he beat Florian Mayer 7-6[4], 7-6[4]. Next it was Wawrinka, who Isner brushed aside 7-6[1], 6-4. In the quarterfinals he beat Cilic 7-6[3], 2-6, 7-6[2]. In the semi, he won another breaker but lost in three. Has anybody ever played eight breakers in five matches? On clay? Isner only rises two places in the rankings despite all that winning. He needs to teach me how to play a tiebreaker. He also broke the tournament record for aces. So, an excellent week all round.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">DOWN:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">ANDY MURRAY, GBR</span> <br />...Fognini led the Scot 4-0 in the first set. From there he never really let go, and won 6-2, 6-4. Andy Murray was on top of the world last year. He won Wimbledon and the Olympic Gold. He took home a slew of trophies after the U.S. Open. He was riding high. Even Novak couldn't stand in his way. It was all going to plan. But tennis can change so quickly and so brutally. Iva Majoli won the French Open in 1997. She was done by 1999. Murray just looks frustrated and angry the whole time. He isn't enjoying himself, he isn't having a good time. He is struggling and he can't seem to fix it.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">UPSET:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO, ARG</span> <br />...Oh, it is good to see the Tower of Tandil raze a draw to the ground once again. And this BACKSPINNER picked it. Seeing Del Potro a force again, even just making a quarterfinal run, is heartening. If not for injury Del Potro would one day have risen to world number one. He would be a Roland Garros champion by now. His 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 defeat, or dismantling perhaps, of Rafael Nadal at the 2009 U.S. Open, in the semi-finals, is burned into my memory. It was a display of controlled aggression, brutal precision and raw firepower not seen since. Nobody has done that to Nadal over five sets since. Not in that fashion. This week he showed off by beating 10th seed Dimitrov 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 in the first round. He beat Britain's Kyle Edmund 7-5, 6-4 in the second round. He knocked perennial top eight player Nishikori 7-6[4], 6-3. It took him almost two hours and several match points, but he did it. But he couldn't keep up the momentum, losing 6-1, 6-4 to Djokovic in the quarters. It is the perfect time for a run. The big man has found form going into the French Open.<br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/5aFdZancMw">pic.twitter.com/5aFdZancMw</a></p>&mdash; Juan M. del Potro (@delpotrojuan) <a href="https://twitter.com/delpotrojuan/status/863069599255977985">May 12, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><br /><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f77/backspinner/logogenerator5Cupl5C18419103160_650827.gif"> <br />1. <span style="font-weight; color:#B22222;">Rome R2 – Fognini d. Murray 6-2, 6-4 </span><br />...Shock and horror. You keep expecting Andy Murray to turn a corner. It hasn't happened yet. This is the latest in a string of awful matches. Fognini has played well, but our world number one is a joke.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">===============================================</span> <br />2. <span style="font-weight; color:#B22222;">Rome F – Zverev d. Djokovic 6-4, 6-3 </span><br />...This is the turning point in the German's career. He looked so composed throughout the match. I think it is also the end of Novak's career. He has hired Andre Agassi to fix his problems, but it just seems desperate. The next 12 months will be telling.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">===============================================</span> <br />3. <span style="font-weight; color:#B22222;">Rome QF – Thiem d. Nadal 6-4, 6-3 </span><br />...There is only one way to beat Nadal; you have to hit through him. It is what Lukas Rosol and Robin Soderling did so well. It is the reason Federer has had successes against the Spaniard this year. Thiem executed it perfectly. Is Rafa still a huge favourite for Roland Garros? Yes. Are there question marks? Yes.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">===============================================</span> <br /><br /><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f77/backspinner/logogenerator5Cupl5C18419103160_898826.jpg"> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#CC6600;">*GENEVA*</span> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#00FF00;">=SF=</span> <br />Ramos-Vinolas [3] d. [6] Querrey <br />Isner [4] d. Anderson <br /><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#00FF00;">=FINAL=</span> <br />Ramos-Vinolas [3] d. [4] Isner <br /><br />...Neither Wawrinka or Nishikori will actually play this one. I don't even know why Nishikori signed up. Anyway, the week before a slam is always unpredictable. So, because it is on clay, we'll go for a Spaniard.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#CC6600;">*LYON*</span> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#00FF00;">=SF=</span> <br />Berdych [3] d. [1] Raonic <br />Tsonga [2] d. Seppi <br /><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#00FF00;">=FINAL=</span> <br />Tsonga [2] d. [3] Berdych <br /><br />...This BACKSPINNER has no clue who will opt to play and who won't. But doesn't this seem roughly accurate?<br /><br /><br /><center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xcF66kBmXEaPHsFrV-rSOKS4bULET3tQSmXVmbPPUOniPGvMBR0qKsXoFfGo5KmShwaD3IWYhnm6qjYNbuifF6p637KHnBGnY-WR72Jhpsp2nxVxg6WV-gHn6fk1tDa9KqTNqMjtU1tHqO07ahsqOKiIMZ1jOwHotzWLdlAFSUXwgH6wjfV9dYeNw8rKp8V0fCZ3ze-HN5qc36Xp-XwbevcV1Eqf6887VMlGAymrC_kL-_U2Hh4KFVx28s_TTSgl0KtpDd4bDbKoEK2v1eq9jI_4imDUj57WdBIk32vXY6EoKcgRjjj-m2rD74F3Cih4w21KBSOBPBdy5ZZ92Zs3wWBLM_PfmqzoDjv-6ex5eRLAouDQ53g0-PayCeXPKd0Qi-_EgiykelohlJOr8E0yf3tHDfEuC-w3ZkA3dJMk01Ahc2G_t23f7kWlOaVaTxETKnSs-FCmALuNCMvJUQ2MCcTUCZWcfqcTVs23XHsk1n1x9ZU-eHQvpNHyFGuWblWXpJsltJDQEh7Uosr7EWOwjZejKTp2uIRpCB4wlZ1dpDU3839T9MpvgnQ0V872jDeJjtYngtuJ8YlYASG12-z99Xw5LwG1QDWyJnj7Ld_UuPNSeAPH0McQ=w400-h115-no"></center>We finally have good news on the Dasha front. In the doubles, she and A-Pavs lost to Arruabarrena and Parra-Sontonja. They did make it go three, but that is not a very fruitful partnership. In the women's singles, Gavrilova qualified, beating Mattek-Sands in the process, and caused a huge upset in the first round. She beat Madison Keys 2-6, 7-5, 7-5. She blew a 5-2 lead in the second set, but clung on. In the third set she and Keys traded breaks before Gavrilova struck in the 11th game and finished it with an ace. She wouldn't have had to enter qualies if she hadn't made a mistake with the forms. But there you go. She beat Caroline Garcia in the second round 7-5, 3-6, 6-3. Next she beat Kuznetsova 2-6, 7-5, 6-4 (<em>a year after losing to Sveta in Rome</em>). But in the quarters she succumbed to Kiki Bertens 6-3, 6-3. It was a bizarre result. But that's what a week in Dasha's life is like. <br /><br /><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"><div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"><div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BUWLEaug_rl/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Daria Gavrilova (@daria_gav)</a> on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2017-05-21T07:44:09+00:00">May 21, 2017 at 12:44am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote><script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><br /><br />In Strasbourg, Dasha has entered the singles but not the doubles. In the opening round she saw off Louisa Chirico 6-2, 6-3. Now she faces dangerous qualifier Elizaveta Kulichkova. She is, if you hadn't guessed, a Russian. With withdrawals and the like, Dasha is going to get a seed at the French. Apart from in Melbourne, she has not been to the third round of a slam. Could this be her time? <br /><br /><br />Thanks all and visit <a href="http://wtabackspin.blogspot.com">WTA BACKSPIN</a> please.</span>http://atpbackspin.blogspot.com/2017/05/wk20-week-that-changed-career.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Todd.Spiker)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14702766.post-2353527599815247769Wed, 17 May 2017 03:23:00 +00002017-05-16T23:25:03.993-04:00Wk.19- Rafa's Storybook Story<center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Jt4H-2xxAWOdCRZH6CXiB7W3b3keXXmfO6NzkM4m5OyB7S7E7YM2JJnyf4rCL3FKSAHOvWxsrgVSd3mNLeQpV5ZXVcD3MmwZo-Z2vSqCMsqivx2fDjaQSpQBJ0FnXlWVNgisWnfgKID8Tpb-Xx5Rlu2O4n_ZM67WRuT_iOu5Cxk0aUAXkJbWVYdlBFJB3O5b5I_-Qp7t_ufJGJ4f7hL_nswEI4yNB0n2whvBBY0a3aEEt7nAmTVN2CuKPyXXZbThEpATgNrjdWl8ZVgPa8YRaOHUi0W03HS3M3P3yf9KpTG7CkvHqaJCOngKHRU1WWrB2xIUQf1ULLD7JqZbKXrDcbonniA4uh9LByGfVVNu7m3QgQAYCt05JLiTxiMibBArVVoi2B9AKCuyoSUDBQn-lNsbsMNbTgg_nigCWoiISpjkL1cjateePJclAyMSb4fvA78ZAgf36wuqEna0bM1N1wQkmI7Iyz91BXFa6A9hghNp3zLGxI7L-N1-ZNQSEt7SXGNHavQdQ9vOJwpV8b4A6JlKkl9Y91NLFCoSdnkHOcO2P8lv7MODwZwy3a2PJjdATs5_cCkq6PGHUt44PoQcFua9WjJNVflGnMneUMdxdki5OVP6sWTp=w398-h48-no"></center>Hey, all. Galileo here.<br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">He&#39;s waited a long time for this...<br /><br />Seven matches<br />Three years.<br /><br />But Nadal has finally beaten Djokovic.<br /><br />?? <a href="https://t.co/trhqWznFE8">https://t.co/trhqWznFE8</a> <a href="https://t.co/lDn5kykr5Y">pic.twitter.com/lDn5kykr5Y</a></p>&mdash; BBC Sport (@BBCSport) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCSport/status/863472756310118405">May 13, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /><br />Novak Djokovic led Rafael Nadal 11-1 in their last twelve before they met in Madrid. Rafa had not won in three years. <em>He has snapped an seven match losing streak.</em> It comes at an interesting time. <span class="fullpost"><br /><br />Andy Murray, who just turned 30, is crashing and burning. Djokovic is imploding. Roger Federer has his eyes set on Wimbledon. But Nadal has ticked off all the boxes now. He has dominated the clay swing. He has gotten rid of the Novak hoodoo at last. He is so much the overwhelming favourite for the French the question is not if he will win but how many games me might lose. <br /><br />During their match you could see that Djokovic's backhand had lost some of its bite. His best shot was not a factor. The match was always going to be tricky from the moment Nadal took a 4-0 first set lead. The Spaniard's backhand was on song throughout. Nadal is now hitting with such authority. He is attacking the return of serve. He is taking it to Novak. It is clear Nole has no idea how to deal with that. He looked lacklustre and, at certain points, outright panicked. <br /><br />We have also seen the end of Grigor Dimitrov's good start to the year. He isn't done yet, but he has to fix the issues, stop the rot. We are coming up to Wimbledon, which is traditionally his best slam. He needs to come up with a strategy for winning the matches that are on a real knife-edge. You get that with wins, with match play. And when he had that hot streak to start the year the close matches never bothered him. He could cruise through them. But now it is getting harder. <br /><br />The biggest player improvement this week came from the Austrian, Dominic Thiem. He has finally begun to move towards the top four. If he can defend the majority of his points from the French Open last year, he will be fine. What the Austrian is going through is the process where the hunters become the hunted. He can't just turn up and play spoiler like Alex Zverev still can. He is expected to win matches at every tournament. And that brings its own pressures and problems. The Austrian has struggled in the past six months to make that adjustment, but the signs are now pointing upwards. <br /><br />He is back up to his highest ever ranking of seven, and he is playing himself into form at just the right time. He is no longer a teenager or a rising prospect. At the age of 23, Thiem has now arrived. If he is to win a slam soon it is going to be the French or U.S. Open. It is hard to win Wimbledon as a kid unless you're Boris Becker or the like. And he already has a history of runs at the slams in Paris and New York. Last year, he faded against Djokovic in the semi-final. He wasn't ready yet to cause the upset. But that valuable learning experience has helped him to become the player he is today. All his best wins have come on this surface. He beat Stan Wawrinka in Madrid in an epic night match a couple of years ago. <br /><br />But Thiem is not the only one who had a good week. Let's get on with the show... <br /><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f77/backspinner/655497186_439441.gif?t=1348865096"></center><br /><center><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">*WEEK 19 CHAMPIONS*</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#B22222;">MADRID, SPAIN (Red Clay)</span><br /><em>S: <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#48D1CC;">Rafael Nadal def. Dominic Thiem 7-6(8)/6-4</span><br />D: <span style="font-weight:bold; color:#48D1CC;">Kubot/Melo d. Mahut/Roger-Vasselin</span></em></center><br /><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f77/backspinner/logogenerator5Cupl5C18419103160_764743.jpg"> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">PLAYER OF THE WEEK:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">RAFAEL NADAL, ESP</span><br />...Are you a fan of fairytales? Well, you'll enjoy this one. <br /><br />Let me set the scene. <br /><br />This BACKSPINNER was out with Todd hiking along the Appalachian trail. Every year BACKSPIN has a fun day, week or month out and we reflect upon the year, share a bottle of aged whiskey and laugh at the antics of the tours. That one year we visited the Cliffs of Simona was a good one. And the year we spent a week in the Swiss Alps, spying on Federer and Hingis, was another classic. Anyway, on this particular occasion we ended up in a small town in the back of beyond. And there we came upon a wizened old man, full of the experiences of life. And he filled his pipe, lit a campfire, and began his tale from the days of yore. Gather round, said he, and I shall tell you a tale. And this is roughly how it went. <br /><br /><em>Once upon a time, long, long ago, before even your grandfather's time, there was a small kingdom on an island in a country where it never rained and the sea was always the deepest shade of blue. And this small kingdom was beloved by its citizens. The king and queen were fair and just. Her golden hair sparkled in the sun and his great booming laugh was famous throughout the land. Sadly, however, try as they might they could not come up with an heir. <br /><br />Every day the queen would cry seven single tears and bottle them up because she believed that the sadness inside could be removed this way. The king would look on with grief etched into his every feature. Just as the good king and queen had begun to think of giving up, a passing fair set up near their glorious kingdom. Disguising themselves as common folk, their majesties went out and sought the help of a witch. She gave them the gift of a child, but at a price - whatever baby you have will never be happy staying put in your kingdom. She could tell who they really were because of her ungodly powers, of course. So the couple, in their desperation, agreed. <br /><br />And they bore a child. Handsome and charming he never cried and only ever smiled. For a while, all was well. The royal couple truly believed that they could make the prince lose his wanderlust. But, alas and alack, the prince longed for the outside world. Every day he would wake up and spend all day staring outside the window, a look of longing all over his face. All he wanted was to be free and happy. <br /><br />This went on for many, many months. But his father was a good man and soon noticed this. Worried, he talked to the queen and she said, “worry not my dear, I have a plan. Build him a tennis court and he will be free to go outside as much as he wishes and may never want to leave.” The king, agreeing with this, built a beautiful new clay court in the spacious palace gardens. And so,for a time, the young prince was happy - he would spend ten hours on the court every day. But soon even that was not enough. He had grown bored of his island, and wanted to explore the world beyond. <br /><br />He wanted nothing more than to be out of the palace walls and away from the small kingdom. The king, who had grown ever more elderly throughout the years, enlisted his younger brother, Tonius, to look after young Raphael. And so they went out in the world to seek their fortune. Along the way Rafael would encounter such hardships as knee surgery, retirement in slam finals, and the U.S. Open. But all those stories are for another day. <br /><br />That young man, born right-handed as legend has it, discovered himself in the world beyond. And when he returned he was ready to take up the throne, for he had become a king...of clay.</em><br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">El campeón del <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MMOPEN?src=hash">#MMOPEN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RafaelNadal">@RafaelNadal</a>, pintado por <a href="https://twitter.com/victorjerez99">@victorjerez99</a>. ¡Vaya arte! ???????????? <a href="https://t.co/E24tIZa03d">pic.twitter.com/E24tIZa03d</a></p>&mdash; Mutua Madrid Open (@MutuaMadridOpen) <a href="https://twitter.com/MutuaMadridOpen/status/864468353724887040">May 16, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">RISER:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">DOMINIC THIEM, AUT</span> <br />...We are back to the days of Nadal dominating every clay event and a different guy making a final every week. If Federer never plays another clay event again, this BACKSPINNER would not be surprised. Murray is unlikely to win another final again, or even make one. Djokovic has looked very poor this whole year. Wawrinka is inconsistent. So there's a gap in the market. Tomas Berdych, the French stars and Kei Nishikori have all had forgetable years. They won't plug that gap. It means that guys like Thiem, who have weapons, are left with the monumental task.<br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/ThiemDomi">@ThiemDomi</a> is through to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MMOPEN?src=hash">#MMOPEN</a> final, defeating <a href="https://twitter.com/PabloCuevas22">@PabloCuevas22</a> in straight sets (6-4, 6-4). ???????? <a href="https://t.co/j79LMWAFTH">pic.twitter.com/j79LMWAFTH</a></p>&mdash; Mutua Madrid Open (@MutuaMadridOpen) <a href="https://twitter.com/MutuaMadridOpen/status/863516396088688640">May 13, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /><br />In 2014, aged 20, he entered the U.S. Open for the first time. He beat Ernests Gulbis, on the cusp of the top ten, and Feli Lopez, a top 20 seed, on the way to the fourth round. Sure, he was manhandled by Berdman when he got there, but that first run, that first glimpse of what he could do, was exciting. Ever since then he has been one of the most exciting players on the tour. That big kick serve is ludicrously effective, especially combined with the angles he can hit. This week he beat lucky loser Jared Donaldson 6-3, 6-4 to open his campaign. Next he edged Dimi in an epic, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6[9]. That one was the match of the clay court swing so far. He beat another lucky loser, Borna Coric, in the quarterfinals, dispatching him 6-1, 6-4. It was a straightforward 6-4, 6-4 win over Pablo Cuevas in the semi-finals. With no sets lost the Austrian had made his first ever Masters 1000 final. It is his second final of this swing, and he lost to Nadal then, too. But he did better than he did in Barcelona. He got two more games. Rafa still won 7-6[8], 6-4. With his ranking and Federer's withdrawal from Paris, Thiem is going to have a really good shot at making his first slam final in the coming weeks. If he draws Murray in the draw he will probably make another semi-final.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">VETERAN:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">FELICIANO LOPEZ, ESP</span> <br />...Feli has played in every single edition of this event. Nobody else has done that. In 2002, he was 19. He beat Arnaud Clement in three sets in the first round of the Madrid Masters. That was his first match here. He won a couple of matches in that opening tournament. and now here he is, aged 48 (<em>or 35</em>), still winning matches and still just as <em>Felicious</em> as ever.<br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Winning at home. And in a third-set tiebreak. <br /><br />Special for <a href="https://twitter.com/feliciano_lopez">@feliciano_lopez</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MMOPEN?src=hash">#MMOPEN</a> <a href="https://t.co/IWEXGPvWgN">pic.twitter.com/IWEXGPvWgN</a></p>&mdash; Tennis TV (@TennisTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/TennisTV/status/862347518645944320">May 10, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">SURPRISE:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">KEI NISHIKORI, JPN</span> <br />...Cuevas had a great tournament. So did Zverev. The Uruguayan, in fact, made the semi-finals as an unseeded player, but did not face a single seed himself. But Nishikori is really the surprise. Struggling with an injury, he pulled out of Barcelona. <em>But he enters Madrid?</em> Now is it just me or does that make no sense to you? He won two matches and then withdrew. A slam is upon us. Now why would the Japanese star make such a basic scheduling error? If there's a slam coming up, especially one at which you have realistic title expectations, why not sit out the three weeks before? Health comes before form. Besides, he had no form. He had nothing to lose and so much to gain. It's a mystifying situation. Take a leaf out of Federer's book. The Swiss is happy to skip the clay swing and aim for Wimbledon. He is assured a semi-final at SW19. He knows he has an excellent chance of title number eight there. Why doesn't Kei try and make a semi-final outside of Flushing Meadows?<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">DOWN:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">ANDY MURRAY. GBR</span> <br />...We have been harping on about how poor the Scot has been here at BACKSPIN. But a loss to Coric is the latest low in a series of disappointing results. How can the world number one lose 6-3, 6-3 to a 20 year old? A kid who is a qualifier and outside the top 40 just spanked the guy who is supposed to be our best player. In the next six weeks Murray has 5000 points to defend. If he doesn't defend it he will be in big trouble. His position in the rankings is looking more and more dangerous.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /><span style="font-weight; color:#CC6600;">UPSET:</span> <span style="font-weight; color:#00FF00;">ALEXANDER ZVEREV, GER</span> <br />...Marin Cilic has struck again. The Croat has gone from winning a title last week to crashing out this. Zverev won 6-7[3], 6-3, 6-4. The German also beat Berdych, 6-4, 6-4, and almost scraped by Cuevas. But it is his win over Cilic, a top-ten player, apparently, that was really impressive. When a big server like that takes the first set it can be so hard to come back into a match. <br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">1st top-10 win on clay ??<br />3rd straight win over Cilic ?? <br /><br />Sascha Zverev keeps on winning.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MMOPEN?src=hash">#MMOPEN</a> <a href="https://t.co/VzImVRpIF1">pic.twitter.com/VzImVRpIF1</a></p>&mdash; Tennis TV (@TennisTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/TennisTV/status/862430870711353344">May 10, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /><span style="font-weight; color:#6495ED;">===============================================</span> <br /> <br /><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f77/backspinner/logogenerator5Cupl5C18419103160_650827.gif"> <br />1. <span style="font-weight; color:#B22222;"> Madrid R3 – Thiem d. Dimitrov 4-6, 6-4, 7-6[9] </span><br />...Thiem saves five match points, finally takes it on his second match point, and comes back from 3-6 down in the breaker to win. It was quite extraordinary. The best stat of all, though? Both men won 112 points. They have two of the best backhands in the business, which just added to the fantastic display. The crosscourt rallies on display in this kind of match are mind-blowing.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">===============================================</span> <br />2. <span style="font-weight; color:#B22222;"> Madrid R2 – Djokovic d. Almagro 6-1, 4-6, 7-5 </span><br />...We briefly saw the very best of Nicolas Almagro return. While you got the feeling the Serb was inevitably going to win, it was still a great contest. The Spaniard's backhand worked an absolute treat, but he couldn't find a way past Djokovic's defenses when it really mattered.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">===============================================</span> <br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What an effort, <a href="https://twitter.com/RafaelNadal">@RafaelNadal</a> !! True legend!! ???????????? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MMOPEN?src=hash">#MMOPEN</a> <a href="https://t.co/mDuIg7UsWM">pic.twitter.com/mDuIg7UsWM</a></p>&mdash; Mutua Madrid Open (@MutuaMadridOpen) <a href="https://twitter.com/MutuaMadridOpen/status/863827540263264257">May 14, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /><br />3. <span style="font-weight; color:#B22222;">Madrid F – Nadal d. Thiem 7-6[8], 6-4 </span><br />...Yet more evidence that Thiem is going to be a top three player in the near future. Do you know how hard it is to live with Rafa on clay? The Austrian even managed to save three match points. But he did blow his chances. Up a break early in the first, he couldn't hang onto it.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">===============================================</span> <br />3. <span style="font-weight; color:#B22222;">Estoril QF – Anderson D. Gasquet 6-2, 3-6, 7-6[3]</span><br />...In his last four meetings with the Frenchman, Anderson has lost just once. Every single one of their eight previous meetings were in the round of 32. Anderson rises 74 spots to 121 in the world. With a solid clay swing, he may not need to qualify for the French Open.<br /><span style="font-weight; color:#FF6347;">===============================================</span> <br /><br /><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f77/backspinner/logogenerator5Cupl5C18419103160_898826.jpg"> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#CC6600;">*ROME*</span> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#00FF00;">=SF=</span> <br />Wawrinka [3] d. [16] A. Zverev <br />Nadal [4] d. Del Potro <br /><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#00FF00;">=FINAL=</span> <br />Nadal [4] d. [3] Wawrinka <br /><br />...Rafael Nadal is tearing it up. Djokovic and Murray both look very poor right now. So there isn't a great option anywhere. But if we did have this set of semi-finals it would be very enjoyable.<br /><br /><br /><center><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xcF66kBmXEaPHsFrV-rSOKS4bULET3tQSmXVmbPPUOniPGvMBR0qKsXoFfGo5KmShwaD3IWYhnm6qjYNbuifF6p637KHnBGnY-WR72Jhpsp2nxVxg6WV-gHn6fk1tDa9KqTNqMjtU1tHqO07ahsqOKiIMZ1jOwHotzWLdlAFSUXwgH6wjfV9dYeNw8rKp8V0fCZ3ze-HN5qc36Xp-XwbevcV1Eqf6887VMlGAymrC_kL-_U2Hh4KFVx28s_TTSgl0KtpDd4bDbKoEK2v1eq9jI_4imDUj57WdBIk32vXY6EoKcgRjjj-m2rD74F3Cih4w21KBSOBPBdy5ZZ92Zs3wWBLM_PfmqzoDjv-6ex5eRLAouDQ53g0-PayCeXPKd0Qi-_EgiykelohlJOr8E0yf3tHDfEuC-w3ZkA3dJMk01Ahc2G_t23f7kWlOaVaTxETKnSs-FCmALuNCMvJUQ2MCcTUCZWcfqcTVs23XHsk1n1x9ZU-eHQvpNHyFGuWblWXpJsltJDQEh7Uosr7EWOwjZejKTp2uIRpCB4wlZ1dpDU3839T9MpvgnQ0V872jDeJjtYngtuJ8YlYASG12-z99Xw5LwG1QDWyJnj7Ld_UuPNSeAPH0McQ=w400-h115-no"></center>In Madrid, our girl lost to CiCi Bellis 7-5, 5-7, 6-2. In the doubles, she paired up with A-Pavs, but they lost 7-6[5], 6-2. <br /><br />In Rome, top seeded in the qualifiers (<em>she was there because she forgot to enter the tournament!</em>), Gavrilova beat Sasnovich 6-2, 4-6, 6-2. Then she defeated Bethanie Mattek-Sands 6-4, 6-2. Her reward? A clash with tenth seeded Madison Keys. So, this happened...<br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WTA Rome: Daria Gavrilova upsets defending finalist Madison Keys <a href="https://t.co/cQy76gMGu6">https://t.co/cQy76gMGu6</a> <a href="https://t.co/CZns5UxZtZ">pic.twitter.com/CZns5UxZtZ</a></p>&mdash; VAVEL USA Tennis (@VAVELUSATennis) <a href="https://twitter.com/VAVELUSATennis/status/864492934636253185">May 16, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br /><br />In doubles, she's with the same partner. They open with an all-Spanish pair of Arruabarrena/Parra-Santonja. She is defending third round points from last year. <br /><br />Currently ranked 33, she can't afford to keep falling in the rankings. If she can't get some kind of seeding for the slams she will be in trouble. <br /><br /><br />Thanks all and visit <a href="http://wtabackspin.blogspot.com">WTA BACKSPIN</a> please.</span>http://atpbackspin.blogspot.com/2017/05/wk19-rafas-storybook-story.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Todd.Spiker)0